Cloning of cytochrome P450 genes from Nicotiana

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to P450 enzymes and nucleic acid sequences encoding P450 enzymes in Nicotiana, and methods of using those enzymes and nucleic acid sequences to alter plant phenotypes.

[0001] The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding cytochrome P450 enzymes (hereinafter referred to as P450 and P450 enzymes) in Nicotiana plants and methods for using those nucleic acid sequences to alter plant phenotypes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Cytochrome P450s catalyze enzymatic reactions for a diverse range of chemically dissimilar substrates that include the oxidative, peroxidative and reductive metabolism of endogenous and xenobiotic substrates. In plants, P450s participate in biochemical pathways that include the synthesis of plant products such as phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, lipids, cyanogenic glycosides, and glucosinolates (Chappel, Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 198, 49:311-343). Cytochrome P450s, also known as P450 heme-thiolate proteins, usually act as terminal oxidases in multi-component electron transfer chains, called P450—containing monooxygenase systems. Specific reactions catalyzed include demethylation, hydroxylation, epoxidation, N-oxidation, sulfooxidation, N—, S—, and O-dealkylations, desulfation, deamination, and reduction of azo, nitro, and N-oxide groups.

[0003] The diverse role of Nicotiana plant P450 enzymes has been implicated in effecting a variety of plant metabolites such as phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, lipids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates and a host of other chemical entities. During recent years, it is becoming apparent that some P450 enzymes can impact the composition of plant metabolites in plants. For example, it has been long desired to improve the flavor and aroma of certain plants by altering its profile of selected fatty acids through breeding; however very little is known about mechanisms involved in controlling the levels of these leaf constituents. The down regulation of P450 enzymes associated with the modification of fatty acids may facilitate accumulation of desired fatty acids that provide more preferred leaf phenotypic qualities. The function of P450 enzymes and their broadening roles in plant constituents is still being discovered. For instance, a special class of P450 enzymes was found to catalyze the breakdown of fatty acid into volatile C6- and C9-aldehydes and -alcohols that are major contributors of “fresh green” odor of fruits and vegetables. The level of other novel targeted P450s may be altered to enhance the qualities of leaf constituents by modifying lipid composition and related break down metabolites in Nicotiana leaf. Several of these constituents in leaf are affected by senescence that stimulates the maturation of leaf quality properties. Still other reports have shown that P450s enzymes are play a functional role in altering fatty acids that are involved in plant-pathogen interactions and disease resistance.

[0004] In other instances, P450 enzymes have been suggested to be involved in alkaloid biosynthesis. Nornicotine is a minor alkaloid found in Nicotiana tabaceum. It has been postulated that it is produced by the P450 mediated demethylation of nicotine followed by acylation and nitrosation at the N position thereby producing a series of N-acylnonicotines and N-nitrosonornicotines. N-demethylation, catalyzed by a putative P450 demethylase, is thought to be a primary source of nornicotine biosyntheses in Nicotiana. While the enzyme is believed to be microsomal, thus far a nicotine demethylase enzyme has not been successfully purified, nor have the genes involved been isolated.

[0005] Furthermore, it is hypothesized but not proven that the activity of P450 enzymes is genetically controlled and also strongly influenced by environment factors. For example, the demethylation of nicotine in Nicotiana is thought to increase substantially when the plants reach a mature stage. Furthermore, it is hypothesized yet not proven that the demethylase gene contains a transposable element that can inhibit translation of RNA when present.

[0006] The large multiplicity of P450 enzyme forms, their differing structure and function have made their research on Nicotiana P450 enzymes very difficult before the enclosed invention. In addition, cloning of P450 enzymes has been hampered at least in part because these membrane-localized proteins are typically present in low abundance and often unstable to purification. Hence, a need exists for the identification of P450 enzymes in plants and the nucleic acid sequences associated with those P450 enzymes. In particular, only a few cytochrome P450 proteins have been reported in Nicotiana. The inventions described herein entail the discovery of a substantial number of cytochrome P450 fragments that correspond to several groups of P450 species based on their sequence identity.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention is directed to plant P450 enzymes. The present invention is further directed to plant P450 enzymes from Nicotiana. The present invention is also directed to P450 enzymes in plants whose expression is induced by ethylene and/or plant senescence. The present invention is yet further directed to nucleic acid sequences in plants having enzymatic activities, for example, being categorized as oxygenase, demethylase and the like, or other and the use of those sequences to reduce or silence the expression of these enzymes. The invention also relates to P450 enzymes found in plants containing higher nornicotine levels than plants exhibiting lower nornicotine levels.

[0008] In one aspect, the invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences as set forth in SEQ. ID. Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 143, 145 and 147.

[0009] In a second related aspect, those fragments containing greater than 75% identity in nucleic acid sequence were placed into groups dependent upon their identity in a region corresponding to the first nucleic acid following the cytochrome P450 motif GXRXCX(G/A) to the stop codon. The representative nucleic acid groups and respective species are shown in Table I.

[0010] In a third aspect, the invention is directed to amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ. ID. Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128,.130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 144, 146 and 148.

[0011] In a fourth related aspect, those fragments containing greater than 71% identity in amino acid sequence were placed into groups dependent upon their identity to each other in a region corresponding to the first amino acid following the cytochrome P450 motif GXRXCX(G/A) to the stop codon. The representative amino acid groups and respective species are shown in Table II.

[0012] In a sixth related aspect, the reduction or elimination of P450 enzymes in Nicotiana plants may be accomplished transiently using RNA viral systems. Resulting transformed or infected plants are assessed for phenotypic changes including, but not limited to, analysis of endogenous P450 RNA transcripts, P450 expressed peptides, and concentrations of plant metabolites using techniques commonly available to one having ordinary skill in the art.

[0013] In a seventh important aspect, the present invention is also directed to generation of trangenic Nicotiana lines that have altered P450 enzyme activity levels. In accordance with the invention, these transgenic lines include nucleic acid sequences that are effective for reducing or silencing the expression of certain enzyme thus resulting in phenotypic effects within Nicotiana. Such nucleic acid sequences include SEQ. ID. Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 143, 145 and 147.

[0014] In a very important eight aspect of the invention, plant cultivars including nucleic acids of the present invention in a down regulation capacity will have altered metabolite profiles relative to control plants.

[0015] In a ninth aspect, the present invention is directed to the screening of plants, more preferably Nicotiana, that contain genes that have substantial nucleic acid identity to the taught nucleic acid sequence. The use of the invention would be advantageous to identify and select plants that contain a nucleic acid sequence with exact or substantial identity where such plants are part of a breeding program for traditional or transgenic varieties, a mutagenesis program, or naturally occurring diverse plant populations. The screening of plants for substantial nucleic acid identity may be accomplished by evaluating plant nucleic acid materials using a nucleic acid probe in conjunction with nucleic acid detection protocols including, but not limited to, nucleic acid hybridization and PCR analysis. The nucleic acid probe may consist of the taught nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof corresponding to SEQ ID 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 143, 145 and 147.

[0016] In a tenth aspect, the present invention is directed to the identification of plant genes, more preferably Nicotiana, that share substantial amino acid identity corresponding to the taught nucleic acid sequence. The identification of plant genes including both cDNA and genomic clones, those cDNAs and genomic clones, more preferably from Nicotiana may be accomplished by screening plant cDNA libraries using a nucleic acid probe in conjunction with nucleic acid detection protocols including, but not limited to, nucleic acid hybridization and PCR analysis. The nucleic acid probe may be comprised of nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof corresponding to SEQ ID 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 143, 145 and 147.

[0017] In an alterative eleventh aspect, cDNA expression libraries that express peptides may be screened using antibodies directed to part or all of the taught amino acid sequence. Such amino acid sequences include SEQ ID 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 144, 146 and 148.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:1 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:2.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :3 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:4.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :5 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:6.

[0021]FIG. 4 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :7 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:8.

[0022]FIG. 5 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :9 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:10.

[0023]FIG. 6 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:11 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:12.

[0024]FIG. 7 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :13 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:14.

[0025]FIG. 8 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :15 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:16.

[0026]FIG. 9 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :17 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:18.

[0027]FIG. 10 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:19 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:20.

[0028]FIG. 11 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:21 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:22.

[0029]FIG. 12 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :23 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:24.

[0030]FIG. 13 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:25 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:26.

[0031]FIG. 14 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID.. No.:27 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:28.

[0032]FIG. 15 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:29 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:30.

[0033]FIG. 16 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:31 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:32.

[0034]FIG. 17 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:33 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:34.

[0035]FIG. 18 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:35 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:36.

[0036]FIG. 19 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:37 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:38.

[0037]FIG. 20 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:39 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:40.

[0038]FIG. 21 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:41 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No::42.

[0039]FIG. 22 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID., No.:43 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:44.

[0040]FIG. 23 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:45 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:46.

[0041]FIG. 24 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:47 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:48.

[0042]FIG. 25 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:49 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:50.

[0043]FIG. 26 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:51 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:52.

[0044]FIG. 27 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:53 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:54.

[0045]FIG. 28 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:55 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:56.

[0046]FIG. 29 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:57 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:58.

[0047]FIG. 30 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:59 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:60.

[0048]FIG. 31 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:61 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:62.

[0049]FIG. 32 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:63 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:64.

[0050]FIG. 33 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:65 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:66.

[0051]FIG. 34 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:67 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:68.

[0052]FIG. 35 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:69 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:70.

[0053]FIG. 36 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:71 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:72.

[0054]FIG. 37 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:73 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:74.

[0055]FIG. 38 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:75 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:76.

[0056]FIG. 39 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:77 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:78.

[0057]FIG. 40 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:79 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:80.

[0058]FIG. 41 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:81 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:82.

[0059]FIG. 42 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:83 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:84.

[0060]FIG. 43 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:85 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:86.

[0061]FIG. 44 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:87 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:88.

[0062]FIG. 45 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:89 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:90.

[0063]FIG. 46 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :91 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:92.

[0064]FIG. 48 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:95 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:96.

[0065]FIG. 49 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:97 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:98.

[0066]FIG. 50 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:99 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:100.

[0067]FIG. 51 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:101 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:102.

[0068]FIG. 52 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:103 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:104.

[0069]FIG. 53 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :105 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :106.

[0070]FIG. 54 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:107 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :108.

[0071]FIG. 55 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:109 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:110.

[0072]FIG. 56 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:111 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :112.

[0073]FIG. 57 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :113 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :114.

[0074]FIG. 58 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:115 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :116.

[0075]FIG. 59 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No. :117 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :118.

[0076]FIG. 60 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:119 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :120.

[0077]FIG. 61 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:121 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:122.

[0078]FIG. 62 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:123 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:124.

[0079]FIG. 63 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:125 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No. :126.

[0080]FIG. 64 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:127 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:128.

[0081]FIG. 65 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:129 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:130.

[0082]FIG. 66 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:131 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:132.

[0083]FIG. 67 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:133 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:134.

[0084]FIG. 68 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:135 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:136.

[0085]FIG. 69 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:137 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:138.

[0086]FIG. 70 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:139 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:140.

[0087]FIG. 72 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:143 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:144.

[0088]FIG. 73 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:145 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:146.

[0089]FIG. 74 shows nucleic acid SEQ. ID. No.:147 and amino acid SEQ. ID. No.:148.

[0090]FIG. 75 shows a procedure used for cloning of cytochrome P450 cDNA fragments by PCR. SEQ. ID. Nos. 149-156 are shown.

[0091]FIG. 76 illustrates amino acid identity of group members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] Definitions

[0093] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Singleton et al. (1994) Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, second edition, John Wiley and Sons (New York) provides one of skill with a general dictionary of many of the terms used in this invention. All patents and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference herein. For purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

[0094] “Enzymatic activity” is meant to include demethylation, hydroxylation, epoxidation, N-oxidation, sulfooxidation, N—, S—, and O-dealkylations, desulfation, deamination, and reduction of azo, nitro, and N-oxide groups. The term “nucleic acid” refers to a deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide polymer in either single- or double-stranded form, or sense or anti-sense, and unless otherwise limited, encompasses known analogues of natural nucleotides that hybridize to nucleic acids in a manner similar to naturally occurring nucleotides. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence includes the complementary sequence thereof. The terms “operably linked”, “in operable combination”, and “in operable order” refer to functional linkage between a nucleic acid expression control sequence (such as a promoter, signal sequence, or array of transcription factor binding sites) and a second nucleic acid sequence, wherein the expression control sequence affects transcription and/or translation of the nucleic acid corresponding to the second sequence.

[0095] The term “recombinant” when used with reference to a cell indicates that the cell replicates a heterologous nucleic acid, expresses said nucleic acid or expresses a peptide, heterologous peptide, or protein encoded by a heterologous nucleic acid. Recombinant cells can express genes or gene fragments in either the sense or antisense form that are not found within the native (non-recombinant) form of the cell. Recombinant cells can also express genes that are found in the native form of the cell, but wherein the genes are modified and re-introduced into the cell by artificial means.

[0096] A “structural gene” is that portion of a gene comprising a DNA segment encoding a protein, polypeptide or a portion thereof, and excluding the 5′ sequence which drives the initiation of transcription. The structural gene may alternatively encode a nontranslatable product. The structural gene may be one which is normally found in the cell or one which is not normally found in the cell or cellular location wherein it is introduced, in which case it is termed a “heterologous gene”. A heterologous gene may be derived in whole or in part from any source known to the art, including a bacterial genome or episome, eukaryotic, nuclear or plasmid DNA, cDNA, viral DNA or chemically synthesized DNA. A structural gene may contain one or more modifications that could effect biological activity or its characteristics, the biological activity or the chemical structure of the expression product, the rate of expression or the manner of expression control. Such modifications include, but are not limited to, mutations, insertions, deletions and substitutions of one or more nucleotides. The structural gene may constitute an uninterrupted coding sequence or it may include one or more introns, bounded by the appropriate splice junctions. The structural gene may be translatable or non-translatable, including in an anti-sense orientation. The structural gene may be a composite of segments derived from a plurality of sources and from a plurality of gene sequences (naturally occurring or synthetic, where synthetic refers to DNA that is chemically synthesized).

[0097] “Derived from” is used to mean taken, obtained, received, traced, replicated or descended from a source (chemical and/or biological). A derivative may be produced by chemical or biological manipulation (including, but not limited to, substitution, addition, insertion, deletion, extraction, isolation, mutation and replication) of the original source.

[0098] “Chemically synthesized”, as related to a sequence of DNA, means that portions of the component nucleotides were assembled in vitro. Manual chemical synthesis of DNA may be accomplished using well established procedures (Caruthers, Methodology of DNA and RNA Sequencing, (1983), Weissman (ed.), Praeger Publishers, New York, Chapter 1); automated chemical synthesis can be performed using one of a number of commercially available machines.

[0099] Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison may be conducted by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 85: 2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by inspection.

[0100] The NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (Altschul et al., 1990) is available from several sources, including the National Center for Biological Information (NCBI, Bethesda, Md.) and on the Internet, for use in connection with the sequence analysis programs blastp, blastn, blastx, tblastn and tblastx. It can be accessed at htp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/. A description of how to determine sequence identity using this program is available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/blast help.html.

[0101] The terms “substantial amino acid identity” or “substantial amino acid sequence identity” as applied to amino acid sequences and as used herein denote a characteristic of a polypeptide, wherein the peptide comprises a sequence that has at least 70 percent sequence identity, preferably 80 percent amino acid sequence identity, more preferably 90 percent amino acid sequence identity, and most preferably at least 99 to 100 percent sequence identity as compared to a reference group over region corresponding to the first amino acid following the cytochrome P450 motif GXRXCX(G/A) to the stop codon of the translated peptide.

[0102] The terms “substantial nucleic acid identity” or “substantial nucleic acid sequence identity” as applied to nucleic acid sequences and as used herein denote a characteristic of a polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a sequence that has at least 75 percent sequence identity, preferably 81 percent amino acid sequence identity, more preferably at least 91 percent sequence identity, and most preferably at least 99 to 100 percent sequence identity as compared to a reference group over region corresponding to the first nucleic acid following the cytochrome P450 motif GXRXCX(G/A) to the stop codon of the translated peptide.

[0103] Another indication that nucleotide sequences are substantially identical is if two molecules hybridize to each other under stringent conditions. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. to about 20° C., usually about 10° C. to about 15° C., lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a matched probe. Typically, stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is about 0.02 molar at pH 7 and the temperature is at least about 60° C. For instance in a standard Southern hybridization procedure, stringent conditions will include an initial wash in 6×SSC at 42° C. followed by one or more additional washes in 0.2×SSC at a temperature of at least about 55° C., typically about 60° C. and often about 65° C.

[0104] Nucleotide sequences are also substantially identical for purposes of this invention when the polypeptides and/or proteins which they encode are substantially identical. Thus, where one nucleic acid sequence encodes essentially the same polypeptide as a second nucleic acid sequence, the two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical, even if they would not hybridize under stringent conditions due to degeneracy permitted by the genetic code (see, Darnell et al. (1990) Molecular Cell Biology, Second Edition Scientific American Books W. H. Freeman and Company New York for an explanation of codon degeneracy and the genetic code).

[0105] Protein purity or homogeneity can be indicated by a number of means well known in the art, such as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of a protein sample, followed by visualization upon staining. For certain purposes high resolution may be needed and HPLC or a similar means for purification may be utilized.

[0106] As used herein, the term “vector” is used in reference to nucleic acid molecules that transfer DNA segment(s) into a cell. A vector may act to replicate DNA and may reproduce independently in a host cell. The term “vehicle” is sometimes used interchangeably with “vector.” The term “expression vector” as used herein refers to a recombinant DNA molecule containing a desired coding sequence and appropriate nucleic acid sequences necessary for the expression of the operably linked coding sequence in a particular host organism. Nucleic acid sequences necessary for expression in prokaryotes usually include a promoter, an operator (optional), and a ribosome binding site, often along with other sequences. Eucaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters, enhancers, and termination and polyadenylation signals.

[0107] For the purpose of regenerating complete genetically engineered plants with roots, a nucleic acid may be inserted into plant cells, for example, by any technique such as in vivo inoculation or by any of the known in vitro tissue culture techniques to produce transformed plant cells that can be regenerated into complete plants. Thus, for example, the insertion into plant cells may be by in vitro inoculation by pathogenic or non-pathogenic A. tumefaciens. Other such tissue culture techniques may also be employed.

[0108] “Plant tissue” includes differentiated and undifferentiated tissues of plants, including, but not limited to, roots, shoots, leaves, pollen, seeds, tumor tissue and various forms of cells in culture, such as single cells, protoplasts, embryos and callus tissue. The plant tissue may be in planta or in organ, tissue or cell culture.

[0109] “Plant cell” as used herein includes plant cells in planta and plant cells and protoplasts in culture.

[0110] “cDNA” or “complementary DNA” generally refers to a single stranded DNA molecule with a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to an RNA molecule. cDNA is formed by the action of the enzyme reverse transcriptase on an RNA template.

[0111] Strategies for Obtaining Nucleic Acid Sequences

[0112] In accordance with the present invention, RNA was extracted from Nicotiana tissue of converter and non-converter Nicotiana lines. The extracted RNA was then used to create cDNA. Nucleic acid sequences of the present invention were then generated using two strategies.

[0113] In the first strategy, the poly A enriched RNA was extracted from plant tissue and cDNA was made by reverse transcription PCR. The single strand cDNA was then used to create P450 specific PCR populations using degenerate primers plus a oligo d(T) reverse primer. The primer design was based on the highly conserved motifs of P450. Examples of specific degenerate primers are set forth in FIG. 1. Sequence fragments from plasmids containing appropriate size inserts were further analyzed. These size inserts typically ranged from about 300 to about 800 nucleotides depending on which primers were used.

[0114] In a second strategy, a cDNA library was initially constructed. The cDNA in the plasmids was used to create P450 specific PCR populations using degenerate primers plus T7 primer on plasmid as reverse primer. As in the first strategy, sequence fragments from plasmids containing appropriate size inserts were further analyzed.

[0115] Nicotiana plant lines known to produce high levels of nornicotine (converter) and plant lines having undetectable levels of nornicotine may be used as starting materials.

[0116] Leaves can then be removed from plants and treated with ethylene to activate P450 enzymatic activities defined herein. Total RNA is extracted using techniques known in the art. cDNA fragments can then be generated using PCR (RT-PCR) with the oligo d(T) primer as described in FIG. 1. The cDNA library can then be constructed more fully described in examples herein.

[0117] The conserved region of P450 type enzymes can be used as a template for degenerate primers (FIG. 75). Using degenerate primers, P450 specific bands can be amplified by PCR. Bands indicative for P450 like enzymes can be identified by DNA sequencing. PCR fragments can be characterized using BLAST search, alignment or other tools to identify appropriate candidates.

[0118] Sequence information from identified fragments can be used to develop PCR primers. These primers are used to conduct quantitative RT-PCR from the RNA's of converter and non-converter ethylene treated plant tissue. Only appropriate sized DNA bands (300-800 bp) from converter lines or bands with higher density denoting higher expression in converter lines were used for further characterization. Large scale Southern reverse analysis was conducted to examine the differential expression for all clones obtained. In this aspect of the invention, these large scale reverse Southern assays can be conducted using labeled total cDNA's from different tissues as a probe to hybridize with cloned DNA fragments in order to screen all cloned inserts.

[0119] Nonradioactive Northern blotting assay was also used to characterize clones P450 fragments.

[0120] Nucleic acid sequences identified as described above can be examined by using virus induced gene silencing technology (VIGS, Baulcombe, Current Opinions in Plant Biology, 1999, 2:109-113).

[0121] In another aspect of the invention, interfering RNA technology (RNAi) is used to further characterize cytochrome P450 enzymatic activities in Nicotiana plants of the present invention. The following references which describe this technology are incorporated by reference herein, Smith et al., Nature, 2000, 407:319-320; Fire et al., Nature, 1998, 391:306-311; Waterhouse et al., PNAS, 1998, 95:13959-13964; Stalberg et al., Plant Molecular Biology, 1993, 23:671-683; Baulcombe, Current Opinions in Plant Biology, 1999, 2:109-113; and Brigneti et al., EMBO Journal, 1998, 17(22):6739-6746. Plants may be transformed using RNAi techniques, antisense techniques, or a variety of other methods described.

[0122] Several techniques exist for introducing foreign genetic material into plant cells, and for obtaining plants that stably maintain and express the introduced gene. Such techniques include acceleration of genetic material coated onto microparticles directly into cells (U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,050 to Cornell and U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,131 to DowElanco). Plants may be transformed using Agrobacterium technology, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,010 to University of Toledo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,310 to Texas A&M, European Patent Application 0131624B1, European Patent Applications 120516, 159418B1, European Patent Applications 120516, 159418B1 and 176,112 to Schilperoot, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,149,645, 5,469,976, 5,464,763 and 4,940,838 and 4,693,976 to Schilperoot, European Patent Applications 116718, 290799, 320500 all to MaxPlanck, European Patent Applications 604662 and 627752 to Japan Nicotiana, European Patent Applications 0267159, and 0292435 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,019 all to Ciba Geigy, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,463,174 and 4,762,785 both to Calgene, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,004,863 and 5,159,135 both to Agracetus. Other transformation technology includes whiskers technology, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,302,523 and 5,464,765 both to Zeneca. Electroporation technology has also been used to transform plants, see WO 87/06614 to Boyce Thompson Institute, 5,472,869 and 5,384,253 both to Dekalb, WO9209696 and WO9321335 both to PGS. All of these transformation patents and publications are incorporated by reference. In addition to numerous technologies for transforming plants, the type of tissue which is contacted with the foreign genes may vary as well. Such tissue would include but would not be limited to embryogenic tissue, callus tissue type I and II, hypocotyl, meristem, and the like. Almost all plant tissues may be transformed during dedifferentiation using appropriate techniques within the skill of an artisan.

[0123] Foreign genetic material introduced into a plant may include a selectable marker. The preference for a particular marker is at the discretion of the artisan, but any of the following selectable markers may be used along with any other gene not listed herein which could function as a selectable marker. Such selectable markers include but are not limited to aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene of transposon Tn5 (Aph II) which encodes resistance to the antibiotics kanamycin, neomycin and G418, as well as those genes which code for resistance or tolerance to glyphosate; hygromycin; methotrexate; phosphinothricin (bar); imidazolinones, sulfonylureas and triazolopyrimidine herbicides, such as chlorosulfuron; bromoxynil, dalapon and the like.

[0124] In addition to a selectable marker, it may be desirous to use a reporter gene. In some instances a reporter gene may be used without a selectable marker. Reporter genes are genes which are typically not present or expressed in the recipient organism or tissue. The reporter gene typically encodes for a protein which provide for some phenotypic change or enzymatic property. Examples of such genes are provided in K. Weising et al. Ann. Rev. Genetics, 22, 421 (1988), which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferred reporter genes include without limitation glucuronidase (GUS) gene and GFP genes.

[0125] Once introduced into the plant tissue, the expression of the structural gene may be assayed by any means known to the art, and expression may be measured as mRNA transcribed, protein synthesized, or the amount of gene silencing that occurs (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,021 which is hereby incorporated by reference). Techniques are known for the in vitro culture of plant tissue, and in a number of cases, for regeneration into whole plants (EP Appln No. 88810309.0). Procedures for transferring the introduced expression complex to commercially useful cultivars are known to those skilled in the art.

[0126] Once plant cells expressing the desired level of P450 enzyme are obtained, plant tissues and whole plants can be regenerated therefrom using methods and techniques well-known in the art. The regenerated plants are then reproduced by conventional means and the introduced genes can be transferred to other strains and cultivars by conventional plant breeding techniques.

[0127] The following examples illustrate methods for carrying out the invention and should be understood to be illustrative of, but not limiting upon, the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

EXAMPLES Example I

[0128] Development of Plant Tissue and Ethylene Treatment

[0129] Plant Growth

[0130] Plants were seeded in pots and grown in a greenhouse for 4 weeks. The 4 week old seedlings were transplanted into individual pots and grown in the greenhouse for 2 months. The plants were watered 2 times a day with water containing 150 ppm NPK fertilizer during growth. The expanded green leaves were detached from plants to do the ethylene treatment described below.

[0131] Cell Line 78379

[0132] Tobacco line 78379, which is a burley tobacco line released by the University of Kentucky was used as a source of plant material. One hundred plants were cultured as standard in the art of growing tobacco and transplanted and tagged with a distinctive number (1-100). Fertilization and field management were conducted as recommended.

[0133] Three quarters of the 100 plants converted between 20 and 100% of the nicotine to nornicotine. One quarter of the 100 plants converted less than 5% of the nicotine to nornicotine. Plant number 87 had the least conversion (2%) while plant number 21 had 100% conversion. Plants converting less than 3% were classified as non-converters. Self-pollinated seed of plant number 87 and plant number 21, as well as crossed (21×87 and 87×21) seeds were made to study genetic and phenotype differences. Plants from selfed 21 were converters, and 99% of selfs from 87 were non-converters. The other 1% of the plants from 87 showed low conversion (5-15%). Plants from reciprocal crosses were all converters.

[0134] Cell Line 4407

[0135] Nicotiana line 4407, which is a burley line was used as a source of plant material. Uniform and representative plants (100) were selected and tagged. Of the 100 plants 97 were non-converters and three were converters. Plant number 56 had the least amount of conversion (1.2%) and plant number 58 had the highest level of conversion (96%). Self-pollenated seeds and crossed seeds were made with these two plants.

[0136] Plants from selfed-58 were segregating in about a 3:1 converter to non-converter ratio. The 58-33 and 58-25 were identified as homozygous converter and nonconverter plant lines, respectively. The stable conversion of 58-33 was confirmed by analysis of its progenies of next generation.

[0137] Ethylene Treatment Procedures

[0138] Green leaves were detached from 2-3 month greenhouse grown plants and sprayed with 0.3% ethylene solution (Prep brand Ethephon (Rhone-Poulenc)). Each sprayed leaf was hung in a curing rack equipped with humidifier and covered with plastic. During the treatment, the sample leaves were periodically sprayed with the ethylene solution. Approximately 24-48 hour post ethylene treatment, leaves were collected for RNA extraction. Another sub-sample was taken for metabolic constituent analysis to determine the concentration of leaf metabolites and more specific constituents of interest such as a variety of alkaloids.

[0139] As an example, alkaloids analysis could be performed as follows. Samples (0.1 g) were shaken at 150 rpm with 0.5 ml 2N NaOH, and a 5 ml extraction solution which contained quinoline as an internal standard and methyl t-butyl ether. Samples were analyzed on a HP 6890 GC equipped with a FID detector. A temperature of 250° C. was used for the detector and injector. An HP column (30 m-0.32 nm-1·m) consisting of fused silica crosslinked with 5% phenol and 95% methyl silicon was used at a temperature gradient of 110-185° C. at 10° C. per minute. The column was operated at a f low rate at 100° C. at 1.7 cm³min⁻with a split ratio of 40:1 with a 2·l injection volume using helium as the carrier gas.

Example 2

[0140] RNA Isolation

[0141] For RNA extractions, middle leaves from 2 month old greenhouse grown plants were treated with ethylene as described. The 0 and 24-48 hours samples were used for RNA extraction. In some cases, leaf samples under the senescence process were taken from the plants 10 days post flower-head removal. These samples were also used for extraction. Total RNA was isolated using Rneasy Plant Mini Kit® (Qiagen, Inc., Valencia, Calif.) following manufacturer's protocol.

[0142] The tissue sample was grinded under liquid nitrogen to a fine powder using a DEPC treated mortar and pestle. Approximately 100 mg of ground tissue was transferred to a sterile 1.5 ml eppendorf tube. This sample tube was placed in liquid nitrogen until all samples were collected. Then, 450 μl of Buffer RLT as provided in the kit (with the addition of β-Mercaptoethanol) was added to each individual tube. The sample was vortexed vigorously and incubated at 56° C. for 3 minutes. The lysate was then, applied to the QIAshredder™ spin column sitting in a 2-ml collection tube, and centrifuged for 2 minutes at maximum speed. The f low through was collected and 0.5 volume of ethanol was added to the cleared lysate. The sample is mixed well and transferred to an Rneasy® mini spin column sitting in a 2 ml collection tube. The sample was centrifuged for 1 minute at 10,000 rpm. Next, 700 μl of buffer RW1 was pipetted onto the Rneasy® column and centrifuged for 1 minute at 10,000 rpm. Buffer RPE was pipetted onto the Rneasy® column in a new collection tube and centrifuged for 1 minute at 10,000 rpm. Buffer RPE was again, added to the Rneasy® spin column and centrifuged for 2 minutes at maximum speed to dry the membrane. To eliminate any ethanol carry over, the membrane was placed in a separate collection tube and centrifuged for an additional 1 minute at maximum speed. The Rneasy® column was transferred into a new 1.5 ml collection tube, and 40 μl of Rnase-free water was pipetted directly onto the Rneasy® membrane. This final elute tube was centrifuged for 1 minute at 10,000 rpm. Quality and quantity of total RNA was analyzed by denatured formaldehyde gel and spectrophotometer.

[0143] Poly(A)RNA was isolated using Oligotex™ poly A+ RNA purification kit (Qiagen Inc.) following manufacture's protocol. About 200 μg total RNA in 250 μl maximum volume was used. A volume of 250 μl of Buffer OBB and 15 μl of oligotex™ suspension was added to the 250 μl of total RNA. The contents were mixed thoroughly by pipetting and incubated for 3 minutes at 70° C. on a heating block. The sample was then, placed at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. The oligotex:mRNA complex was pelleted by centrifugation for 2 minutes at maximum speed. All but 50 μl of the supernatant was removed from the microcentrifuge tube. The sample was treated further by OBB buffer. The oligotex:mRNA pellet was resuspended in 400 μl of Buffer OW2 by vortexing. This mix was transferred onto a small spin column placed in a new tube and centrifuged for 1 minute at maximum speed. The spin column was transferred to a new tube and an additional 400 μl of Buffer OW2 was added to the column. The tube was then centrifuged for 1 minute at maximum speed. The spin column was transferred to a final 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube. The sample was eluted with 60 ul of hot (70° C.) Buffer OEB. Poly A product was analyzed by denatured formaldehyde gels and spectrophotometric analysis.

Example 3

[0144] Reverse Transcription-PCR

[0145] First strand cDNA was produced using SuperScript reverse transcriptase following manufacturer's protocol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). The poly A+ enriched RNA/oligo dT primer mix consisted of less than 5 μg of total RNA, 1 μl of 10 mM dNTP mix, 1 μl of Oligo d(T)₁₂₋₁₈ (0.5 μg/μl), and up to 10 μl of DEPC-treated water. Each sample was incubated at 65° C. for 5 minutes, then placed on ice for at least 1 minute. A reaction mixture was prepared by adding each of the following components in order: 2 μl 10×RT buffer, 4 μl of 25 mM MgCl2, 2 μl of 0.1 M DTT, and 1 μl of RNase OUT Recombinant RNase Inhibitor. An addition of 9 μl of reaction mixture was pipetted to each RNA/primer mixture and gently mixed. It was incubated at 42° C. for 2 minutes and 1 μl of Super Script II™ RT was added to each tube. The tube was incubated for 50 minutes at 42° C. The reaction was terminated at 70° C. for 15 minutes and chilled on ice. The sample was collected by centrifugation and 1 μl of RNase H was added to each tube and incubated for 20 minutes at 37° C. The second PCR was carried out with 200 pmoles of forward primer (degenerate primers as in FIG. 75, SEQ. ID Nos. 149-156) and 100 pmoles reverse primer (mix of 18 nt oligo d(T) followed by 1 random base).

[0146] Reaction conditions were 94° C. for 2 minutes and then performed 40 cycles of PCR at 94° C. for 1 minute, 45° to 60° C. for 2 minutes, 72° C. for 3 minutes with a 72° C. extension for an extra 10 min.

[0147] Ten microliters of the amplified sample were analyzed by electrophoresis using a 1% agarose gel. The correct size fragments were purified from agarose gel.

Example 4

[0148] Generation of PCR Fragment Populations

[0149] PCR fragments from Example 3 were ligated into a pGEM-T® Easy Vector (Promega, Madison, Wis.) following manufacturer's instructions. The ligated product was transformed into JM109 competent cells and plated on LB media plates for blue/white selection. Colonies were selected and grown in a 96 well plate with 1.2 ml of LB media overnight at 37° C. Frozen stock was generated for all selected colonies. Plasmid DNA from plates were purified using Beckman's Biomeck 2000 miniprep robotics with Wizard SV Miniprep® kit (Promega). Plasmid DNA was eluted with 100 μl_water and stored in a 96 well plate. Plasmids were digested by EcoR1 and were analyzed using 1% agarose gel to confirm the DNA quantity and size of inserts. The plasmids containing a 400-600 bp insert were sequenced using an CEQ 2000 sequencer (Beckman, Fullerton, Calif.). The sequences were aligned with GenBank database by BLAST search. The P450 related fragments were identified and further analyzed.

Example 5

[0150] Construction of cDNA Library

[0151] A cDNA library was constructed by preparing total RNA from ethylene treated leaves as follows. First, total RNA was extracted from ethylene treated leaves of tobacco line 58-33 using a modified acid phenol and chloroform extraction protocol. Protocol was modified to use one gram of tissue that was ground and subsequently vortexed in 5 ml of extraction buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5; 200 mM NaCl; 10 mM EDTA; 0.5% SDS) to which 5 ml phenol (pH5.5) and 5 ml chloroform was added. The extracted sample was centrifuged and the supernatant was saved. This extraction step was repeated 2-3 more times until the supernatant appeared clear. Approximately 5 ml of chloroform was added to remove trace amounts of phenol. RNA was precipitated from the combined supernatant fractions by adding a 3-fold volume of ETOH and 1/10 volume of 3M NaOAc (pH5.2) and storing at −20° C. for 1 hour. After transferring to Corex glass container it was centrifuged at 9,000 RPM for 45 minutes at 4° C. The pellet was washed with 70% ethanol and spun for 5 minutes at 9,000 RPM at 4° C. After drying the pellet, the pelleted RNA was dissolved in 0.5 ml RNase free water. The pelleted RNA was dissolved in 0.5 ml RNase free water. The quality and quantity of total RNA was analyzed by denatured formaldehyde gel and spectrophotometer, respectively.

[0152] The resultant total RNA was isolated for poly A+ RNA using an Oligo(dT) cellulose protocol (Invitrogen) and Microcentrifuge spin columns (Invitrogen) by the following protocol. Approximately twenty mg of total RNA was subjected to twice purification to obtain high quality poly A+ RNA. Poly A+ RNA product was analyzed by performing denatured formaldehyde gel and subsequent RT-PCR of known full-length genes to ensure high quality of mRNA.

[0153] Next, poly A+ RNA was used as template to produce a cDNA library employing cDNA synthesis kit, ZAP-cDNA® synthesis kit, and ZAP-cDNA® Gigapack® III gold cloning kit (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). The method involved following the manufacture's protocol as specified. Approximately 8 μg of poly A+ RNA was used to construct cDNA library. Analysis of the primary library revealed about 2.5×10⁶−1×10⁷ pfu. A quality background test of the library was completed by complementation assays using IPTG and X-gal, where recombinant plaques was expressed at more than 100-fold above the background reaction.

[0154] A more quantitative analysis of the library by random PCR showed that average size of insert cDNA was approximately 1.2 kb. The method used a two-step PCR method as followed. For the first step, reverse primers were designed based on the preliminary sequence information obtained from P450 fragments. The designed reverse primers and T3 (forward) primers were used amplify corresponding genes from the cDNA library. PCR reactions were subjected to agarose electrophoresis and the corresponding bands of high molecular weight were excised, purified, cloned and sequenced. In the second step, new primers designed from 5′UTR or the start coding region of P450 as the forward primers together with the reverse primers (designed from 3′UTR of P450) were used in the subsequent PCR to obtain full-length P450 clones.

[0155] The P450 fragments were generated by PCR amplification from the constructed cDNA library as described in Example 3 with the exception of the reverse primer. The T7 primer located on the plasmid downstream of cDNA inserts (see FIG. 75) was used as a reverse primer. PCR fragments were isolated, cloned and sequenced as described in Example 4.

[0156] Numerous modifications and variations in practice of the invention are expected to occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the foregoing detailed description of the invention. Consequently, such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Example 6

[0157] Characterization of Cloned Fragments—Reverse Southern Blotting Analysis

[0158] Nonradioactive large scale reverse southern blotting assay was performed on all P450 clones identified in above examples to detect the differential expression. It was observed that the level of expression among different P450 clusters was very different. Further real time detection was conducted on those with high expression.

[0159] Nonradioactive Southern blotting procedures were conducted as follows.

[0160] 1) Total RNA was extracted from ethylene treated and nontreated converter (58-33) and nonconverter (58-25) leaves using the Qiagen Rnaeasy kit as described in Example 2.

[0161] 2) Probe was produced by biotin-tail labeling a single strand cDNA derived from poly A+ enriched RNA generated in above step. This labeled single strand cDNA was generated by RT-PCR of the converter and nonconverter total RNA (Invitrogen) as described in Example 3 with the exception of using biotinalyted oligo dT as a primer (Promega). These were used as a probe to hybridize with cloned DNA.

[0162] 3) Plasmid DNA was digested with restriction enzyme EcoR1 and run on agarose gels. Gels were simultaneously dried and transferred to two nylon membranes (Biodyne B®). One membrane was hybridized with converter probe and the other with nonconverter probe. Membranes were UV-crosslinked (auto crosslink setting, 254 nm, Stratagene, Stratalinker) before hybridization.

[0163] Alternatively, the inserts were PCR amplified from each plasmid using the sequences located on both arms of p-GEM plasmid, T3 and SP6, as primers. The PCR products were analyzed by running on a 96 well Ready-to-run agarose gels. The confirmed inserts were dotted on two nylon membranes. One membrane was hybridized with converter probe and the other with nonconverter probe.

[0164] 4) The membranes were hybridized and washed following manufacture's instruction with the modification of washing stringency (Enzo MaxSence™ kit, Enzo Diagnostics, Inc, Farmingdale, N.Y.). The membranes were prehybridized with hybridization buffer (2×SSC buffered formamide, containing detergent and hybridization enhancers) at 42° C. for 30 min and hybridized with 10 μl denatured probe overnight at 42° C. The membranes then were washed in 1× hybridization wash buffer 1 time at room temperature for 10 min and 4 times at 68° C. for 15 min. The membranes were ready for the detection.

[0165] 5) The washed membranes were detected by alkaline phosphatase labeling followed by NBT/BCIP colometric detection as described in manufacture's detection procedure (Enzo Diagnostics, Inc.). The membranes were blocked for one hour at room temperature with 1× blocking solution, washed 3 times with 1× detection reagents for 10 min, washed 2 times with 1× predevelopment reaction buffer for 5 min and then developed the blots in developing solution for 30-45 min until the dots appear. All reagents were provided by manufacture (Enzo Diagnostics, Inc). In Addition, large scale reverse Southern assay was also performed using KPL southern hybridization and detection kit™ as described in Example 7 (KPL, Gaithersburg, Md.).

[0166] In some cases, one step RT-PCR™ (Gibco Kit, Carlsbad, Calif.) was performed on the total RNA's from non-converter (58-25) and converter (58-33) lines using primers specific to the P-450 fragments. Comparative RT-PCR was conducted as follows:

[0167] 1) Total RNA from ethylene treated converter (58-33) and nonconverter (58-25) plant leaves was extracted as described in example 2.

[0168] 2) Poly A+ RNA from total RNA was extracted using Qiagen kit as described in Example 2.

[0169] 3) One step RT-PCR was conducted using primers specific to cloned P450 following the manufacture's procedure (Invitogen). The poly A+ enriched RNA was added to the reaction mix, along with, 25 μl of 2× Reaction Mix, 1 μl of 10 μM Sense Primer, 1 μl of 10 μM Anti-sense Primer, 1 μl of RT/Platinum taq Mix, and up to 50 μl of water. Reaction conditions were 50° C. for 20 minutes and then 94° C. for 2 min, performed 40 cycles of PCR at 94° C. for 30 sec, 55° to for 30 sec, 70° C. for 1 minute with a 72° C. extension for an extra 10 min. Ten microliters of the amplified sample were analyzed by electrophoresis using a 1% agarose gel.

Example 7

[0170] Characterization of Cloned Fragments—Northern Blot Analysis

[0171] Alternative to Southern Blot analysis, some membranes were hybridized and detected as described in the example of northern blotting assays. Northern Hybridization was used to detect mRNA differentially expressed in Nicotiana as follows.

[0172] First step, probe preparation: the random priming method was used to prepare probes from cloned P450 DNA fragments (Random Primer DNA Biotinylation Kit™, KPL). The following components were mixed: 0.5 μg DNA template (boiled in a water bath for 5-10 minutes and chilled on ice before use); 1× Random Primer Solution; 1× dNTP mix; 10 units of Klenow and water was added to bring the reaction to 50 μl. The mixture was incubated in 37° C. for 1-4 hours. The reaction was stopped with 2 μl of 200 mM EDTA. The probe was denatured by incubating at 95° C. for 5 minutes before use.

[0173] Second step, sample preparation: The RNA samples were prepared from ethylene treated and non-treated fresh leaves, and senescence leaves. In some cases poly A+ enriched RNA was used. Approximately 15 μg total RNA or 1.8 μg mRNA (Methods of RNA and mRNA extraction are described in Example 5) was brought to equal volume with DEPC H₂O (5-10 μl). The same volume loading buffer (1×MOPS; 18.5% Formaldehyde; 50% Formamide; 4% Ficoll400; Bromophenolblue) and 0.5 μl EtBr (0.5 μg/μl) were added. The samples were heated at 90° C. for 5 minutes, and chilled on ice.

[0174] Third step, separation of RNA by electrophoresis: Samples were subjected to electrophoresis on a formaldehyde gel (1% Agarose, 1×MOPS, 0.6 M Formaldehyde) with 1×MOP buffer (0.4 M Morpholinopropanesulfonic acid; 0.1 M Na-acetate-3×H2O; 10 mM EDTA; adjust to pH 7.2 with NaOH). RNAs were transferred to Hybond-N+ membrane (Nylon, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) by capillary method in 10×SSC buffer (1.5 M NaCl; 0.15 M Na-citrate) for 24 hours. Membranes with RNA samples were UV-crosslinked (auto crosslink setting, 254 nm, Stratagene, Stratalinker) before hybridization.

[0175] Fourth step, hybridization: The membrane was prehybridized for 1-4 hours at 42° C. with 5-10 ml prehybridization buffer (5×SSC; 50% Formamide; 5× Denhardt's-solution; 1% SDS; 100 μg/ml heat-denatured sheared non-homologous DNA). Old prehybridization buffer was discarded, and new prehybridization buffer and probe were added. The hybridization was carried out over night at 42° C. The membrane was washed for 15 minutes with 2×SSC at room temperature, followed by a wash with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. for 2 times, and a final wash with 0.1×SSC, or more wash with 0.1×SDS at 65° C. (optional).

[0176] Fifth step, detection: AP-Streptavidin and CDP-Star® were used to detect the hybridization signal (KPL's DNA Detector Northern blotting Kit™). The membrane was blocked with 1× Detector Block Solution for 30 minutes at room temperature. The blocking buffer was discarded and the membrane was incubated in new 1× detector Block Solution with 1:10,000 AP-SA at room temperature for 1 hour. The membrane was washed in 1× Phosphatase Wash Solution for 3 times, followed by a wash with 1× Phosphatase Assay Buffer for two times. The signal was detected with CDP-Star® Chemiluminescent Substrate. The wet membrane was exposed to X-Ray film under saran™ wrap. The results were analyzed and recorded.

[0177] A focus of the invention was the discovery of novel genes that may be induced as a result of ethylene treatment or play a key role in tobacco leaf quality and constituents. As illustrated in the table below, Northern blots and reverse Southern Blot were useful in determining which genes were induced by ethylene treatment relative to non-induced plants. This information was used to subsequently isolate and sequence full length gene clones. Induced mRNA Expression Ethylene Treatment Fragments Converter D56-AC7 (SEQ ID No:35) + D56-AG11 (SEQ ID No:31) + D56-AC12 (SEQ ID No:45) + D70A-AB5 (SEQ ID No:95) + D73-AC9 (SEQ ID No:43) + D70A-AA12 (SEQ ID No:131) + D73A-AG3 (SEQ ID No:129) + D34-52 (SEQ ID No:61) + D56-AG6 (SEQ ID No:51) +

Example 8

[0178] Nucleic Acid Identity and Structure Relatedness of Isolated Nucleic Acid Fragments

[0179] Over 100 cloned P450 fragments were sequenced in conjunction with Northern blot analysis to determine their structural relatedness. The approach used utilized forward primers based either of two common P450 motifs located near the carboxyl-terminus of the P450 genes. The forward primers corresponded to cytochrome P450 motifs FXPERF or GRRXCP(A/G) as denoted in FIG. 1. The reverse primers used standard primers from either the plasmid, SP6 or T7 located on both arms of PGEM™ plasmid, or a poly A tail. The protocol used is described below.

[0180] Spectrophotometry was used to estimate the concentration of starting double stranded DNA following the manufacturer's protocol (Beckman Coulter). The template was diluted with water to the appropriate concentration, denatured by heating at 95° C. for 2 minutes, and subsequently placed on ice. The sequencing reaction was prepared on ice using 0.5 to 10 μl of denatured DNA template, 2 μl of 1.6 pmole of the forward primer, 8 μl of DTCS Quick Start Master Mix and the total volume brought to 20 μl with water. The thermocycling program consisted of 30 cycles of the follow cycle: 96° C. for 20 seconds, 50° C. for 20 seconds, and 60° C. for 4 minutes followed by holding at 4° C.

[0181] The sequence was stopped by adding 5 μl of stop buffer (equal volume of 3M NaOAc and 100 mM EDTA and 1 μl of 20 mg/ml glycogen). The sample was precipitated with 60 μl of cold 95% ethanol and centrifuged at 6000 g for 6 minutes. Ethanol was discarded. The pellet was 2 washes with 200 μl of cold 70% ethanol. After the pellet was dry, 40 μl of SLS solution was added and the pellet was resuspended. A layer of mineral oil was over laid. The sample was then, placed on the CEQ 8000 Automated Sequencer for further analysis.

[0182] In order to verify nucleic acid sequences, nucleic acid sequence was re-sequenced in both directions using forward primers to the FXPERF or GRRXCP(A/G) region of the P450 gene or reverse primers to either the plasmid or poly A tail. All sequencing was performed at least twice in both directions.

[0183] The nucleic acid sequences of cytochrome P450 fragments were compared to each other from the coding region corresponding to the first nucleic acid after the region encoding the GRRXCP(A/G) motif through to the stop codon. This region was selected as an indicator of genetic diversity among P450 proteins. A large number of genetically distinct P450 genes, in excess of 70 genes, were observed, similar to that of other plant species. Upon comparison of nucleic acid sequences, it was found that the genes could be placed into distinct sequences groups based on their sequence identity. It was found that the best unique grouping of P450 members was determined to be those sequences with 75% nucleic acid identity or greater (shown in Table I). Reducing the percentage identity resulted in significantly larger groups. A preferred grouping was observed for those sequences with 81% nucleic acid identity or greater, a more preferred grouping 91% nucleic acid identity or greater, and a most preferred grouping for those sequences 99% nucleic acid identity of greater. Most of the groups contained at least two members and frequently three or more members. Others were not repeatedly discovered suggesting that approach taken was able to isolated both low and high expressing mRNA in the tissue used.

[0184] Based on 75% nucleic acid identity or greater, two cytochrome P450 groups were found to contain nucleic acid sequence identity to previously tobacco cytochrome genes that genetically distinct from that within the group. Group 23, showed nucleic acid identity, within the parameters used for Table I, to prior GenBank sequences of GI:1171579 (CAA64635) and GI:14423327 (or AAK62346) by Czernic et al and Ralston et al, respectively. GI:1171579 had nucleic acid identity to Group 23 members ranging 96.9% to 99.5% identity to members of Group 23 while GI:14423327 ranged 95.4% to 96.9% identity to this group. The members of Group 31 had nucleic acid identity ranging from 76.7% to 97.8% identity to the GenBank reported sequence of GI:14423319 (AAK62342) by Ralston et al. None of the other P450 identity groups of Table 1 contained parameter identity, as used in Table 1, to Nicotiana P450s genes reported by Ralston et al, Czernic et al., Wang et al or LaRosa and Smigocki.

[0185] As shown in FIG. 76, consensus sequence with appropriate nucleic acid degenerate probes could be derived for group to preferentially identify and isolate additional members of each group from Nicotiana plants. TABLE I Nicotiana P450 Nucleic Acid Sequence Identity Groups GROUP FRAGMENTS 1 D58-BG7 (SEQ ID No.:1), D58-AB1 (SEQ ID No.:3); D58-BE4 (SEQ ID No.:7) 2 D56-AH7 (SEQ ID No.:9); D13a-5 (SEQ ID No.:11) 3 D56-AG10 (SEQ ID No.:13); D35-33 (SEQ ID No.:15); D34-62) (SEQ ID No.:17) 4 D56-AA7 (SEQ ID No.:19); D56-AE1 (SEQ ID No.:21); 185-BD3 (SEQ ID No.:143) 5 D35-BB7 (SEQ ID No.:23); D177-BA7 (SEQ ID No.:25); D56A-AB6 (SEQ ID No.:27); D144-AE2 (SEQ ID No.:29) 6 D56-AG11 (SEQ ID No.:31); D179-AA1 (SEQ ID No.:33) 7 D56-AC7 (SEQ ID No.:35); D144-AD1 (SEQ ID No.:37) 8 D144-AB5 (SEQ ID No.:39) 9 D181-AB5 (SEQ ID No.:41); D73-Ac9 (SEQ ID No.:43) 10 D56-AC12 (SEQ ID No.:45) 11 D58-AB9 (SEQ ID No.:47); D56-AG9 (SEQ ID No.:49); D56-AG6 (SEQ ID No.:51); D35-BG11 (SEQ ID No.:53); D35-42 (SEQ ID No.:55); D35-BA3 (SEQ ID No.:57); D34-57 (SEQ ID No.:59); D34-52 (SEQ ID No.:61); D34-25 (SEQ ID No.:63) 12 D56-AD10 (SEQ ID No.:65) 13 56-AA11 (SEQ ID No.:67) 14 D177-BD5 (SEQ ID No.:69); D177-BD7 (SEQ ID No.:83) 15 D56A-AG10 (SEQ ID No.:71); D58-BC5 (SEQ ID No.:73); D58-AD12 (SEQ ID No.:75) 16 D56-AC11 (SEQ ID No.:77); D35-39 (SEQ ID No.:79); D58-BH4 (SEQ ID No.:81); D56-AD6 (SEQ ID No.:87) 17 D73A-AD6 (SEQ ID No.:89); D70A-BA11 (SEQ ID No.:91) 18 D70A-AB5 (SEQ ID No.:95); D70A-AA8 (SEQ ID No.:97) 19 D70A-AB8 (SEQ ID No.:99); D70A-BH2 (SEQ ID No.:101); D70A-AA4 (SEQ ID No.:103) 20 D70A-BA1 (SEQ ID No.:105); D70A-BA9 (SEQ ID No.:107) 21 D70A-BD4 (SEQ ID No.:109) 22 D181-AC5 (SEQ ID No.:111); D144-AH1 (SEQ ID No.:113); D34-65 (SEQ ID No.:115) 23 D35-BG2 (SEQ ID No.:117) 24 D73A-AH7 (SEQ ID No.:119) 25 D58-AA1 (SEQ ID No.:121); D185-BC1 (SEQ ID No.:133); D185-BG2 (SEQ ID No.:135) 26 D73-AE10 (SEQ ID No.:123) 27 D56-AC12 (SEQ ID No.:125) 28 D177-BF7 (SEQ ID No.:127); D185-BE1 (SEQ ID No.:137); D185-BD2 (SEQ ID No.:139) 29 D73A-AG3 (SEQ ID No.:129) 30 D70A-AA12 (SEQ ID No.:131); D176-BF2 (SEQ ID No.:85) 31 D176-BC3 (SEQ ID No.:145) 32 D176-BB3 (SEQ ID No.: 147) 33 D186-AH4 (SEQ ID No.:5)

Example 9

[0186] Related Amino Acid Sequence Identity of Isolated Nucleic Acid Fragments

[0187] The amino acid sequences of nucleic acid sequences obtained for cytochrome P450 fragments from Example 8 were deduced. The deduced region corresponded to the amino acid immediately after the GXRXCP(A/G) sequence motif to the end of the carboxyl-terminus, or stop codon. Upon comparison of sequence identity of the fragments, a unique grouping was observed for those sequences with 70% amino acid identity or greater. A preferred grouping was observed for those sequences with 80% amino acid identity or greater, more preferred with 90% amino acid identity or greater, and a most preferred grouping for those sequences 99% amino acid identity of greater. The groups and corresponding amino acid sequences of group members are shown in FIG. 2. Several of the unique nucleic acid sequences were found to have complete amino acid identity to other fragments and therefore only one member with the identical amino acid was reported.

[0188] The amino acid identity for Group 19 of Table II corresponded to three distinct groups based on their nucleic acid sequences. The amino acid sequences of each group member and their identity is shown in FIG. 77. The amino acid differences are appropriated marked.

[0189] At least one member of each amino acid identity group was selected for gene cloning and functional studies using plants. In addition, group members that are differentially affected by ethylene treatment or other biological differences as assessed by Northern and Southern analysis were selected for gene cloning and functional studies. To assist in gene cloning, expression studies and whole plant evaluations, peptide specific antibodies will be prepared on sequence identity and differential sequence. TABLE II Nicotiana P450 Amino Acid Sequence Identity Groups GROUP FRAGMENTS 1 D58-BG7 (SEQ ID No.:2), D58-AB1 (SEQ ID No.:4) 2 D58-BE4 (SEQ ID No.:8) 3 D56-AH7 (SEQ ID No.:10); D13a-5 (SEQ ID No.:12) 4 D56-AG10 (SEQ ID No.:14); D34-62 (SEQ ID No.:18) 5 D56-AA7 (SEQ ID No.:20); D56-AE1 (SEQ ID No.:22); 185- BD3 (SEQ ID No.:144) 6 D35-BB7 (SEQ ID No.:24); D177-BA7 (SEQ ID No.:26); D56A-AB6 (SEQ ID No.:28); D144-AE2 (SEQ ID No.:30) 7 D56-AG11 (SEQ ID No.:32); D179-AA1 (SEQ ID No.:34) 8 D56-AC7 (SEQ ID No.:36); D144-AD1 (SEQ ID No.:38) 9 D144-AB5 (SEQ ID No.:40) 10 D181-AB5 (SEQ ID No.:42); D73-Ac9 (SEQ ID No.:44) 11 D56-AC12 (SEQ ID No.:46) 12 D58-AB9 (SEQ ID No.:48); D56-AG9 (SEQ ID No.:50); D56- AG6 (SEQ ID No.:52); D35-BG11 (SEQ ID No.:54); D35-42 (SEQ ID No.:56); D35-BA3 (SEQ ID No.:58); D34-57 (SEQ ID No.:60); D34-52 (SEQ ID No.:62) 13 D56AD10 (SEQ ID No.:66) 14 56-AA11 (SEQ ID No.:68) 15 D177-BD5 (SEQ ID No.:70); D177-BD7 (SEQ ID No.:84) 16 D56A-AG10 (SEQ ID No.:72); D58-BC5 (SEQ ID No.:74); D58-AD12 (SEQ ID No.:76) 17 D56-AC11 (SEQ ID No.:78); D56-AD6 (SEQ ID No.:88) 18 D73A-AD6 (SEQ ID No.90:) 19 D70A-AB5 (SEQ ID No.:96); D70A-AB8 (SEQ ID No.:100); D70A-BH2 (SEQ ID No.:102); D70A-AA4 (SEQ ID No.:104); D70A-BA1 (SEQ ID No.:106); D70A-BA9 (SEQ ID No.:108) 20 D70A-BD4 (SEQ ID No.:110) 21 D181-AC5 (SEQ ID No.:112); D144-AH1 (SEQ ID No.:114); D34-65 (SEQ ID No.:116) 22 D35-BG2 (SEQ ID No.:118) 23 D73A-AH7 (SEQ ID No.:120) 24 D58-AA1 (SEQ ID No.:122); D185-BC1 (SEQ ID No.:134); D185-BG2 (SEQ ID No.:136) 25 D73-AE10 (SEQ ID No.:124) 26 D56-AC12 (SEQ ID No.:126) 27 D177-BF7 (SEQ ID No.:128); 185-BD2 (SEQ ID No.:140) 28 D73A-AG3 (SEQ ID No.:130) 29 D70A-AA12 (SEQ ID No.:132); D176-BF2 (SEQ ID No.:86) 30 D176-BC3 (SEQ ID No.:146) 31 D176-BB3 (SEQ ID No.:148) 32 D186-AH4 (SEQ ID No.:6)

[0190]

1 156 1 207 DNA Nicotiana 1 gcacaacttg ctatcaactt ggtcacatct atgttgggtc atttgttgca tcattttaca 60 tgggctccgg ccccgggggt taacccggag gatattgact tggaggagag ccctggaaca 120 gtaacttaca tgaaaaatcc aatacaagct attccaactc caagattgcc tgcacacttg 180 tatggacgtg tgccagtgga tatgtaa 207 2 68 PRT Nicotiana 2 Ala Gln Leu Ala Ile Asn Leu Val Thr Ser Met Leu Gly His Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His His Phe Thr Trp Ala Pro Ala Pro Gly Val Asn Pro Glu Asp Ile 20 25 30 Asp Leu Glu Glu Ser Pro Gly Thr Val Thr Tyr Met Lys Asn Pro Ile 35 40 45 Gln Ala Ile Pro Thr Pro Arg Leu Pro Ala His Leu Tyr Gly Arg Val 50 55 60 Pro Val Asp Met 65 3 207 DNA Nicotiana 3 gcacaacttg ctatcaactt ggtcacatct atgttgggtc atttgttgca tcattttacg 60 tgggctccgc ccccgggggt taacccggag aatattgact tggaggagag ccctggaaca 120 gtaacttaca tgaaaaatcc aatacaagct attcctactc caagattgcc tgcacacttg 180 tatggacgtg tgccagtgga tatgtaa 207 4 68 PRT Nicotiana 4 Ala Gln Leu Ala Ile Asn Leu Val Thr Ser Met Leu Gly His Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His His Phe Thr Trp Ala Pro Pro Pro Gly Val Asn Pro Glu Asn Ile 20 25 30 Asp Leu Glu Glu Ser Pro Gly Thr Val Thr Tyr Met Lys Asn Pro Ile 35 40 45 Gln Ala Ile Pro Thr Pro Arg Leu Pro Ala His Leu Tyr Gly Arg Val 50 55 60 Pro Val Asp Met 65 5 183 DNA Nicotiana 5 atgaattatt cattgcaagt ggaacacctt tcaattgctc atatgatcca aggtttcagt 60 tttgcaacta cgaccaatga gcctttggat atgaaacaag gtgtgggttt aactttacca 120 aagaagactg atgttgaagt gctaattaca cctcgccttc ctcctacgct ttatcaatat 180 taa 183 6 60 PRT Nicotiana 6 Met Asn Tyr Ser Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Ser Ile Ala His Met Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Ser Phe Ala Thr Thr Thr Asn Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Gln Gly Val Gly Leu Thr Leu Pro Lys Lys Thr Asp Val Glu Val Leu 35 40 45 Ile Thr Pro Arg Leu Pro Pro Thr Leu Tyr Gln Tyr 50 55 60 7 134 DNA Nicotiana 7 gcacaacttg ctatcaactt ggtcacatct atgttgggtc atttgttcat cattttacat 60 gggctccggc cccgggggtt aacccggagg atattgactt ggaggagagc cctggaacag 120 taacttacat gasd 134 8 40 PRT Nicotiana 8 Ala Gln Leu Ala Ile Asn Leu Val Thr Ser Met Leu Gly His Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 Ile Ile Leu His Gly Leu Arg Pro Arg Gly Leu Thr Arg Arg Ile Leu 20 25 30 Thr Trp Arg Arg Ala Leu Glu Gln 35 40 9 189 DNA Nicotiana 9 gaaggattgg ctgttcgaat ggttgccttg tcattgggat gtattattca atgttttgat 60 tggcaacgaa tcggcgaaga attggttgat atgactgaag gaactggact tactttgcct 120 aaagctcaac ctttggtggc caagtgtagc ccacgaccta aaatggctaa tcttctctct 180 cagatttga 189 10 62 PRT Nicotiana 10 Glu Gly Leu Ala Val Arg Met Val Ala Leu Ser Leu Gly Cys Ile Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Cys Phe Asp Trp Gln Arg Ile Gly Glu Glu Leu Val Asp Met Thr 20 25 30 Glu Gly Thr Gly Leu Thr Leu Pro Lys Ala Gln Pro Leu Val Ala Lys 35 40 45 Cys Ser Pro Arg Pro Lys Met Ala Asn Leu Leu Ser Gln Ile 50 55 60 11 189 DNA Nicotiana 11 gaaggattgg ctattcgaat ggttgcattg tcattgggat gtattattca atgctttgat 60 tggcaacgac ttggggaagg attggttgat aagactgaag gaactggact tactttgcct 120 aaagctcaac ctttagtggc caagtgtagc ccacgaccta taatggctaa tcttctttct 180 cagatttga 189 12 62 PRT Nicotiana 12 Glu Gly Leu Ala Ile Arg Met Val Ala Leu Ser Leu Gly Cys Ile Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Cys Phe Asp Trp Gln Arg Leu Gly Glu Gly Leu Val Asp Lys Thr 20 25 30 Glu Gly Thr Gly Leu Thr Leu Pro Lys Ala Gln Pro Leu Val Ala Lys 35 40 45 Cys Ser Pro Arg Pro Ile Met Ala Asn Leu Leu Ser Gln Ile 50 55 60 13 183 DNA Nicotiana 13 ataggttttg cgactttagt gacacatctg acttttggtc gcttgcttca aggttttgat 60 tttagtaagc catcaaacac gccaattgac atgacagaag gcgtaggcgt tactttgcct 120 aaggttaatc aagttgaagt tctaattacc cctcgtttac cttctaagct ttatttattt 180 tga 183 14 60 PRT Nicotiana 14 Ile Gly Phe Ala Thr Leu Val Thr His Leu Thr Phe Gly Arg Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asp Phe Ser Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Pro Ile Asp Met Thr 20 25 30 Glu Gly Val Gly Val Thr Leu Pro Lys Val Asn Gln Val Glu Val Leu 35 40 45 Ile Thr Pro Arg Leu Pro Ser Lys Leu Tyr Leu Phe 50 55 60 15 178 DNA Nicotiana 15 ataggctttg cgactttagt gacacatctg acttttggtc gcttgcttca aggttttgat 60 tttagtaagc catcaaacac gccaattgac atgacagaag gcgtaggcgt tactttgcct 120 aaggttaatc aagttgaagt tctaattacc cctcgtttac cttctaagct ttatttat 178 16 59 PRT Nicotiana 16 Ile Gly Phe Ala Thr Leu Val Thr His Leu Thr Phe Gly Arg Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asp Phe Ser Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Pro Ile Asp Met Thr 20 25 30 Glu Gly Val Gly Val Thr Leu Pro Lys Val Asn Gln Val Glu Val Leu 35 40 45 Ile Thr Pro Arg Leu Pro Ser Lys Leu Tyr Leu 50 55 17 183 DNA Nicotiana 17 ataaattttg cgactttagt gacacatctg acttttggtc gcttgcttca aggttttgat 60 tttagtacgc catcaaacac gccaatagac atgacagaag gcgtaggcgt tactttgcct 120 aaggtaaatc aagtggaagt tctaattagc cctcgtttac cttctaagct ttatgtattc 180 tga 183 18 60 PRT Nicotiana 18 Ile Asn Phe Ala Thr Leu Val Thr His Leu Thr Phe Gly Arg Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asp Phe Ser Thr Pro Ser Asn Thr Pro Ile Asp Met Thr 20 25 30 Glu Gly Val Gly Val Thr Leu Pro Lys Val Asn Gln Val Glu Val Leu 35 40 45 Ile Ser Pro Arg Leu Pro Ser Lys Leu Tyr Val Phe 50 55 60 19 171 DNA Nicotiana 19 attatacttg cattgccaat tcttggcatc actttgggac gtttggttca gaactttgag 60 ctgttgcctc ctccaggcca gtcgaagctc gacaccacag agaaaggtgg acagttcagt 120 ctccacattt tgaagcattc caccattgtg ttgaaaccaa ggtctttctg a 171 20 56 PRT Nicotiana 20 Ile Ile Leu Ala Leu Pro Ile Leu Gly Ile Thr Leu Gly Arg Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Gln Asn Phe Glu Leu Leu Pro Pro Pro Gly Gln Ser Lys Leu Asp Thr 20 25 30 Thr Glu Lys Gly Gly Gln Phe Ser Leu His Ile Leu Lys His Ser Thr 35 40 45 Ile Val Leu Lys Pro Arg Ser Phe 50 55 21 171 DNA Nicotiana 21 attatacttg cattgccaat tcttggcatt actttgggac gtttggttca gaactttgag 60 ctgttgcctc ctccaggcca gtcgaagctc gacaccacag agaaaggtgg acagttcagt 120 ctccatattt tgaagcattc caccattgtg ttgaaaccaa ggtcttgctg a 171 22 56 PRT Nicotiana 22 Ile Ile Leu Ala Leu Pro Ile Leu Gly Ile Thr Leu Gly Arg Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Gln Asn Phe Glu Leu Leu Pro Pro Pro Gly Gln Ser Lys Leu Asp Thr 20 25 30 Thr Glu Lys Gly Gly Gln Phe Ser Leu His Ile Leu Lys His Ser Thr 35 40 45 Ile Val Leu Lys Pro Arg Ser Cys 50 55 23 172 DNA Nicotiana 23 tattgcactt ggggttgcat caatggaact tgcattgtca aatcttcttt atgcatttga 60 ttgggagtta ccttttggaa tgaaaaaaga agacattgac acaaacgcca ggcctggaat 120 taccatgcat aagaaaaacg aactttatct tatccctaaa aattatctat ag 172 24 63 PRT Nicotiana 24 Ile Ala Leu Gly Val Ala Ser Met Glu Leu Ala Leu Ser Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Ala Phe Asp Trp Glu Leu Pro Phe Gly Met Lys Lys Glu Asp Ile 20 25 30 Asp Thr Asn Ala Arg Pro Gly Ile Thr Met His Lys Lys Asn Glu Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Leu Ile Pro Lys Asn Tyr Leu Pro Ser Lys Leu Tyr Leu Phe 50 55 60 25 171 DNA Nicotiana 25 attgcacttg gggttgcatc catggaactt gctttgtcaa atcttcttta tgcatttgat 60 tgggagttac cttacggagt gaaaaaagaa aacattgaca caaatgtcag gcctggaatt 120 accatgcata agaaaaacga actttgcctt atccctagaa attatctata g 171 26 56 PRT Nicotiana 26 Ile Ala Leu Gly Val Ala Ser Met Glu Leu Ala Leu Ser Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Ala Phe Asp Trp Glu Leu Pro Tyr Gly Val Lys Lys Glu Asn Ile 20 25 30 Asp Thr Asn Val Arg Pro Gly Ile Thr Met His Lys Lys Asn Glu Leu 35 40 45 Cys Leu Ile Pro Arg Asn Tyr Leu 50 55 27 174 DNA Nicotiana 27 ggtattgcac ttggggttgc atccatggaa cttgctttgt caaatcttct ttatgcattt 60 gattgggagt tgccttatgg agtgaaaaaa gaagacatcg acacaaacgt taggcctgga 120 attgccatgc acaagaaaaa cgaactttgc cttgtcccaa aaaattattt ataa 174 28 56 PRT Nicotiana 28 Ile Ala Leu Gly Val Ala Ser Met Glu Leu Ala Leu Ser Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Ala Phe Asp Trp Glu Leu Pro Tyr Gly Val Lys Lys Glu Asp Ile 20 25 30 Asp Thr Asn Val Arg Pro Gly Ile Ala Met His Lys Lys Asn Glu Leu 35 40 45 Cys Leu Val Pro Lys Asn Tyr Leu 50 55 29 201 DNA Nicotiana 29 attgcacttg gggttgcatc catggaactt gctttgtcaa atcttcttta tgcatttgat 60 tgggagttgc cttatggagt gaaaaaagaa gacatcgaca caaacgttag gcctggaatt 120 gccatgcaca agaaaaacga actttgcctt gtcccaaaaa aattatttat aaattatatt 180 gggacgtgga tctcatgcta g 201 30 66 PRT Nicotiana 30 Ile Ala Leu Gly Val Ala Ser Met Glu Leu Ala Leu Ser Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Ala Phe Asp Trp Glu Leu Pro Tyr Gly Val Lys Lys Glu Asp Ile 20 25 30 Asp Thr Asn Val Arg Pro Gly Ile Ala Met His Lys Lys Asn Glu Leu 35 40 45 Cys Leu Val Pro Lys Lys Leu Phe Ile Asn Tyr Ile Gly Thr Trp Ile 50 55 60 Ser Cys 65 31 183 DNA Nicotiana 31 atttcgtttg gtttagctaa tgcttatttg ccattggctc aattacttta tcactttgat 60 tgggaactcc ccactggaat caaaccaagc gacttggact tgactgagtt ggttggagta 120 actgccgcta gaaaaagtga cctttacttg gttgcgactc cttatcaacc tcctcaaaac 180 tga 183 32 60 PRT Nicotiana 32 Ile Ser Phe Gly Leu Ala Asn Ala Tyr Leu Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr His Phe Asp Trp Glu Leu Pro Thr Gly Ile Lys Pro Ser Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asp Leu Thr Glu Leu Val Gly Val Thr Ala Ala Arg Lys Ser Asp Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Leu Val Ala Thr Pro Tyr Gln Pro Pro Gln Asn 50 55 60 33 183 DNA Nicotiana 33 atttcgtttg gcttagctaa tgcttatttg ccattggctc aattactata tcacttcgat 60 tggaaactcc ctgctggaat cgaaccaagc gacttggact tgactgagtt ggttggagta 120 actgccgcta gaaaaagtga cctttacttg gttgcgactc cttatcaacc tcctcaaaag 180 tga 183 34 60 PRT Nicotiana 34 Ile Ser Phe Gly Leu Ala Asn Ala Tyr Leu Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr His Phe Asp Trp Lys Leu Pro Ala Gly Ile Glu Pro Ser Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asp Leu Thr Glu Leu Val Gly Val Thr Ala Ala Arg Lys Ser Asp Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Leu Val Ala Thr Pro Tyr Gln Pro Pro Gln Lys 50 55 60 35 220 DNA Nicotiana 35 atgctatttg gtttagctaa tgttggacaa cctttagctc agttacttta tcacttcgat 60 tggaaactcc ctaatggaca aagtcatgag aatttcgaca tgactgagtc acctggaatt 120 tctgctacaa gaaaggatga tcttgttttg attgccactc cttatgattc ttattaattc 180 cagtctatat catctatatg tactcaataa ttgtatggga 220 36 58 PRT Nicotiana 36 Met Leu Phe Gly Leu Ala Asn Val Gly Gln Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr His Phe Asp Trp Lys Leu Pro Asn Gly Gln Ser His Glu Asn Phe 20 25 30 Asp Met Thr Glu Ser Pro Gly Ile Ser Ala Thr Arg Lys Asp Asp Leu 35 40 45 Val Leu Ile Ala Thr Pro Tyr Asp Ser Tyr 50 55 37 174 DNA Nicotiana 37 atgctatttg gtttagctaa tgttggacaa cctttagctc agttacttta tcacttcgat 60 tggaaactcc ctaatggaca aactcaccaa aatttcgaca tgactgagtc acctggaatt 120 tctgctacaa gaaaggatga tcttattttg attgccactc ctgctcattc ttga 174 38 57 PRT Nicotiana 38 Met Leu Phe Gly Leu Ala Asn Val Gly Gln Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr His Phe Asp Trp Lys Leu Pro Asn Gly Gln Thr His Gln Asn Phe 20 25 30 Asp Met Thr Glu Ser Pro Gly Ile Ser Ala Thr Arg Lys Asp Asp Leu 35 40 45 Ile Leu Ile Ala Thr Pro Ala His Ser 50 55 39 177 DNA Nicotiana 39 ttattattcg gtttagttaa tgtaggacat cctttagctc aattgcttta tcacttcgat 60 tggaagactc ttcctgggat aagttcagat agtttcgaca tgactgaaac agatggagta 120 actgccggaa gaaaggatga tctttgttta attgctactc cttttggtct caattaa 177 40 58 PRT Nicotiana 40 Leu Leu Phe Gly Leu Val Asn Val Gly His Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr His Phe Asp Trp Lys Thr Leu Pro Gly Ile Ser Ser Asp Ser Phe 20 25 30 Asp Met Thr Glu Thr Asp Gly Val Thr Ala Gly Arg Lys Asp Asp Leu 35 40 45 Cys Leu Ile Ala Thr Pro Phe Gly Leu Asn 50 55 41 180 DNA Nicotiana 41 atgtcgtttg gtttagttaa cactgggcat cctttagctc agttgctcta tttctttgac 60 tggaaattcc ctcataaggt taatgcagct gattttcaca ctactgaaac aagtagagtt 120 tttgcagcaa gcaaagatga cctctacttg attccaacaa atcacatgga gcaagagtag 180 42 59 PRT Nicotiana 42 Met Ser Phe Gly Leu Val Asn Thr Gly His Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Phe Phe Asp Trp Lys Phe Pro His Lys Val Asn Ala Ala Asp Phe 20 25 30 His Thr Thr Glu Thr Ser Arg Val Phe Ala Ala Ser Lys Asp Asp Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Leu Ile Pro Thr Asn His Met Glu Gln Glu 50 55 43 180 DNA Nicotiana 43 atgtcgtttg gtttagttaa cacagggcat cctttagccc agttgctcta ttgctttgac 60 tggaaactcc ctgacaaggt taatgcaaat gattttcgca ctactgaaac aagtagagtt 120 tttgcagcaa gcaaagatga cctctacttg attcccacaa atcacaggga gcaagaatag 180 44 59 PRT Nicotiana 44 Met Ser Phe Gly Leu Val Asn Thr Gly His Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Cys Phe Asp Trp Lys Leu Pro Asp Lys Val Asn Ala Asn Asp Phe 20 25 30 Arg Thr Thr Glu Thr Ser Arg Val Phe Ala Ala Ser Lys Asp Asp Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Leu Ile Pro Thr Asn His Arg Glu Gln Glu 50 55 45 183 DNA Nicotiana 45 atgcaatttg gtttggctct tgttactctg ccattggctc atttgcttca caattttgat 60 tggaaacttc ccgaaggaat taatgcaagg gatttggaca tgacagaggc aaatgggata 120 tctgctagaa gagaaaaaga tctttacttg attgctactc cttatgtatc acctcttgat 180 taa 183 46 60 PRT Nicotiana 46 Met Gln Phe Gly Leu Ala Leu Val Thr Leu Pro Leu Ala His Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Asn Phe Asp Trp Lys Leu Pro Glu Gly Leu Asn Gln Arg Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asp Met Thr Glu Gln Asn Gly Ile Ser Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Asp Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Leu Ile Gln Thr Pro Tyr Val Ser Pro Leu Asp 50 55 60 47 177 DNA Nicotiana 47 atgacttatg cattgcaagt ggaacaccta acaatggcac atttgatcca gggtttcaat 60 tacagaactc caactgatga gcccttggat atgaaagaag gtgcaggcat aactatacgt 120 aaggtaaatc ctgtgaaagt gataattacg cctcgcttgg cacctgagct ttattaa 177 48 58 PRT Nicotiana 48 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Met Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Arg Thr Pro Thr Asp Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Ile Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Lys Val Ile 35 40 45 Ile Thr Pro Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 49 177 DNA Nicotiana 49 atgacttatg cattgcaagt ggaacaccta acaatggcac atttaatcca gggtttcaat 60 tacaaaactc caaatgacga ggccttggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggcat aactatacgt 120 aaggtaaatc ctgtggaact gataatagcg cctcgcctgg cacctgagct ttattaa 177 50 58 PRT Nicotiana 50 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Met Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Lys Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Ala Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Ile Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Glu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Ile Ala Pro Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 51 177 DNA Nicotiana 51 atgacttatg cattgcaagt ggaacaccta acaatggcac atttaatcca gggtttcaat 60 tacaaaactc caaatgacga ggccttggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggcat aacaatacgt 120 aaggtaaatc cagtggaatt gataataacg cctcgcttgg cacctgagct ttactaa 177 52 58 PRT Nicotiana 52 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Met Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Lys Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Ala Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Ile Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Glu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Ile Thr Pro Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 53 177 DNA Nicotiana 53 atgacttatg cattgcaagt ggaacactta acaatggcac atttgatcca aggtttcaat 60 tacagaactc caaatgacga gcccttggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggcat aactatacgt 120 aaggtaaatc ctgtggaact gataatagcg cctcgcctgg cacctgagct ttattaa 177 54 58 PRT Nicotiana 54 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Met Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Arg Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Ile Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Glu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Ile Ala Pro Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 55 174 DNA Nicotiana 55 atgacttatg cattgcaagt ggaacactta acaatggcac atttgatcca aggtttcaat 60 tacagaactc caaatgacga gcccttggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggcat aactatacgt 120 aaggtaaatc ctgtggaact gataatagcg cccctggcac ctgagcttta ttaa 174 56 57 PRT Nicotiana 56 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Met Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Arg Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Ile Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Glu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Ile Ala Pro Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 57 177 DNA Nicotiana 57 atgacttatg cattgcaagt ggaacactta acaatggcac atttgatcca aggtttcaat 60 tacagaactc caaatgacga gcccttggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggcat aactatacgt 120 aaggtaaatc ctgcggaact gataatagcg cctcgcctgg cacctgagct ttattaa 177 58 58 PRT Nicotiana 58 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Met Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Arg Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Ile Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Ala Glu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Ile Ala Pro Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 59 177 DNA Nicotiana 59 atgacttatg cattacaagt ggaacaccta acaatagcac atttgatcca gggtttcaat 60 tacaaaactc caaatgacga gcccttggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggatt aaccatacgt 120 aaagtaaatc ctgtagaagt gacaactacg gctcgcctgg cacctgagct ttattaa 177 60 58 PRT Nicotiana 60 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Ile Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Lys Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Leu Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Glu Val Thr 35 40 45 Thr Thr Ala Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 61 177 DNA Nicotiana 61 atgacttatg cattacaagt ggaacaccta acaatagcac atttgatcca gggtttcaat 60 tacaaaactc caaatgacga gcccttggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggatt aactatacgt 120 aaagtaaatc ctgtagaagt gacaattacg gctcgcctgg cacctgagct ttattaa 177 62 58 PRT Nicotiana 62 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Ile Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Lys Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Leu Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Glu Val Thr 35 40 45 Ile Thr Ala Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 63 177 DNA Nicotiana 63 atgacttatg cattacaagt ggaacaccta acaatagcac atttgatcca gggtttcaat 60 tacaaaactc caaatgacga gcccctggat atgaaggaag gtgcaggatt aactatacgt 120 aaagtaaatc ctgtagaagt gacaattacg gctcgcctgg cacctgagct ttattaa 177 64 58 PRT Nicotiana 64 Met Thr Tyr Ala Leu Gln Val Glu His Leu Thr Ile Ala His Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Gly Phe Asn Tyr Lys Thr Pro Asn Asp Glu Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 20 25 30 Glu Gly Ala Gly Leu Thr Ile Arg Lys Val Asn Pro Val Glu Val Thr 35 40 45 Ile Thr Ala Arg Leu Ala Pro Glu Leu Tyr 50 55 65 198 DNA Nicotiana 65 tatagccttg gacttaaggt tatccgagta acattagcca acatgttgca tggattcaac 60 tggaaattac ctgaaggtat gaagccagaa gatataagtg tggaagaaca ttatgggctc 120 actacacatc ctaagtttcc tgttcctgtg atcttggaat ctagactttc ttcagatctc 180 tattccccca tcacttaa 198 66 65 PRT Nicotiana 66 Tyr Ser Leu Gly Leu Lys Val Ile Arg Val Thr Leu Ala Asn Met Leu 1 5 10 15 His Gly Phe Asn Trp Lys Leu Pro Glu Gly Met Lys Pro Glu Asp Ile 20 25 30 Ser Val Glu Glu His Tyr Gly Leu Thr Thr His Pro Lys Phe Pro Val 35 40 45 Pro Val Ile Leu Glu Ser Arg Leu Ser Ser Asp Leu Tyr Ser Pro Ile 50 55 60 Thr 65 67 190 DNA Nicotiana 67 atacagtctt gggattcgta taattagggc aactttagct aacttgttgc atggattcaa 60 ctggagattg cctaatggta tgagtccaga agacattagc atggaagaga tttatgggct 120 aattacacac cccaaagtcg cacttgacgt gatgatggag cctcgacttc ccaaccatct 180 ttacaaatag 190 68 62 PRT Nicotiana 68 Tyr Ser Leu Gly Ile Arg Ile Ile Arg Ala Thr Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Gly Phe Asn Trp Arg Leu Pro Asn Gly Met Ser Pro Glu Asp Ile 20 25 30 Ser Met Glu Glu Ile Tyr Gly Leu Ile Thr His Pro Lys Val Ala Leu 35 40 45 Asp Val Met Met Glu Pro Arg Leu Pro Asn His Leu Tyr Lys 50 55 60 69 174 DNA Nicotiana 69 attaattttt caataccact tgttgagctt gcacttgcta atctattgtt tcattataat 60 tggtcacttc ctgaagggat gctagctaag gatgttgata tggaagaagc tttggggatt 120 accatgcaca agaaatctcc cctttgctta gtagcttctc attatacttg ttga 174 70 57 PRT Nicotiana 70 Ile Asn Phe Ser Ile Pro Leu Val Glu Leu Ala Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Phe His Tyr Asn Trp Ser Leu Pro Glu Gly Met Leu Ala Lys Asp Val 20 25 30 Asp Met Glu Glu Ala Leu Gly Ile Thr Met His Lys Lys Ser Pro Leu 35 40 45 Cys Leu Val Ala Ser His Tyr Thr Cys 50 55 71 190 DNA Nicotiana 71 atgcaacttg ggctttatgc attggaaatg gctgtggccc atcttcttca ttgttttact 60 tgggaattgc cagatggtat gaaaccaagt gagcttaaaa tggatgatat ttttggactc 120 actgctccaa aagctaatcg actcgtggct gtgcctactc cacgtttgtt gtgtcccctt 180 tattaattga 190 72 61 PRT Nicotiana 72 Met Gln Leu Gly Leu Tyr Ala Leu Glu Met Ala Val Ala His Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Cys Phe Thr Trp Glu Leu Pro Asp Gly Met Lys Pro Ser Glu Leu 20 25 30 Lys Met Asp Asp Ile Phe Gly Leu Thr Ala Pro Lys Ala Asn Arg Leu 35 40 45 Val Ala Val Pro Thr Pro Arg Leu Leu Cys Pro Leu Tyr 50 55 60 73 186 DNA Nicotiana 73 atgcaacttg ggctttatgc attagaaatg gcagtggccc atcttcttct ttgctttact 60 tgggaattgc cagatggtat gaaaccaagt gagcttaaaa tggatgatat ttttggactc 120 actgctccaa gagctaatcg actcgtggct gtgcctagtc cacgtttgtt gtgcccactt 180 tattaa 186 74 61 PRT Nicotiana 74 Met Gln Leu Gly Leu Tyr Ala Leu Glu Met Ala Val Ala His Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Cys Phe Thr Trp Glu Leu Pro Asp Gly Met Lys Pro Ser Glu Leu 20 25 30 Lys Met Asp Asp Ile Phe Gly Leu Thr Ala Pro Arg Ala Asn Arg Leu 35 40 45 Val Ala Val Pro Ser Pro Arg Leu Leu Cys Pro Leu Tyr 50 55 60 75 186 DNA Nicotiana 75 atgcaacttg ggctttatgc attggaaatg gctgtggccc atcttcttca ttgttttact 60 tgggaattgc cagatggtat gaaaccaagt gagcttaaaa tggatgatat ttttggactc 120 actgctccaa gagctaatcg actcgtggct gtgcctactc cacgtttgtt gtgtcccctt 180 tattaa 186 76 61 PRT Nicotiana 76 Met Gln Leu Gly Leu Tyr Ala Leu Glu Met Ala Val Ala His Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Cys Phe Thr Trp Glu Leu Pro Asp Gly Met Lys Pro Ser Glu Leu 20 25 30 Lys Met Asp Asp Ile Phe Gly Leu Thr Ala Pro Arg Ala Asn Arg Leu 35 40 45 Val Ala Val Pro Thr Pro Arg Leu Leu Cys Pro Leu Tyr 50 55 60 77 93 DNA Nicotiana 77 atgctttgga gtgcgagtat agtgcgcgtc agctacctaa cttgtattta tagattccaa 60 gtatatgctg ggtctgtgtt cagagtagca tga 93 78 30 PRT Nicotiana 78 Met Leu Trp Ser Ala Ser Ile Val Arg Val Ser Tyr Leu Thr Cys Ile 1 5 10 15 Tyr Arg Phe Gln Val Tyr Ala Gly Ser Val Phe Arg Val Ala 20 25 30 79 93 DNA Nicotiana 79 atgctttgga gtgcgagtat agtgcgcgtc agctacctaa cttgtattta tagattccaa 60 gtatatgctg ggtctgtgtt cagagtagca tga 93 80 30 PRT Nicotiana 80 Met Leu Trp Ser Ala Ser Ile Val Arg Val Ser Tyr Leu Thr Cys Ile 1 5 10 15 Tyr Arg Phe Gln Val Tyr Ala Gly Ser Val Phe Arg Val Ala 20 25 30 81 93 DNA Nicotiana 81 atgctttgga gtgcgagtat agtgcgcgtc agctacctaa cctgtattta tagattccaa 60 gtatatgctg ggtctgtgtt cagagtagca tga 93 82 30 PRT Nicotiana 82 Met Leu Trp Ser Ala Ser Ile Val Arg Val Ser Tyr Leu Thr Cys Ile 1 5 10 15 Tyr Arg Phe Gln Val Tyr Ala Gly Ser Val Phe Arg Val Ala 20 25 30 83 177 DNA Nicotiana 83 attaattttt caataccact tgttgagctt gcacttgcta atctattgtt tcattataat 60 tggtcacttc ctgaggggat gctacctaag gatgttgata tggaagaagc tttggggatt 120 accatgcaca agaaatctcc cctttgctta gtagcttctc attataactt gttgtga 177 84 58 PRT Nicotiana 84 Ile Asn Phe Ser Ile Pro Leu Val Glu Leu Ala Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Phe His Tyr Asn Trp Ser Leu Pro Glu Gly Met Leu Pro Lys Asp Val 20 25 30 Asp Met Glu Glu Ala Leu Gly Ile Thr Met His Lys Lys Ser Pro Leu 35 40 45 Cys Leu Val Ala Ser His Tyr Asn Leu Leu 50 55 85 183 DNA Nicotiana 85 atatcatttg gtttggctaa tgtttatttg ccactagctc aattgttata tcattttgat 60 tggaaactcc ctactggaat caattcaagt gacttggaca tgactgagtc gtcaggagta 120 acttgtgcta gaaagagtga tttatacttg actgctactc catatcaact ttctcaagag 180 tga 183 86 61 PRT Nicotiana 86 Gly Ile Ser Phe Gly Leu Ala Asn Val Tyr Leu Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Tyr His Phe Asp Trp Lys Leu Pro Thr Gly Ile Asn Ser Ser Asp 20 25 30 Leu Asp Met Thr Glu Ser Ser Gly Val Thr Cys Ala Arg Lys Ser Asp 35 40 45 Leu Tyr Leu Thr Ala Thr Pro Tyr Gln Leu Ser Gln Glu 50 55 60 87 93 DNA Nicotiana 87 atgctttgga gtgcgagtat agtgcgcgtc agctacctaa cttgtattta tagattccaa 60 gtatatgctg ggtctgtgtc cagagtagca tga 93 88 30 PRT Nicotiana 88 Met Leu Trp Ser Ala Ser Ile Val Arg Val Ser Tyr Leu Thr Cys Ile 1 5 10 15 Tyr Arg Phe Gln Val Tyr Ala Gly Ser Val Ser Arg Val Ala 20 25 30 89 153 DNA Nicotiana 89 ctgaattttg caatgttaga ggcaaaaatg gcacttgcat tgattctaca acactatgct 60 tttgagctct ctccatctta tgcacatgct cctcatacaa ttatcactct gcaacctcaa 120 catggtgctc ctttgatttt gcgcaagctg tag 153 90 50 PRT Nicotiana 90 Leu Asn Phe Ala Met Leu Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Leu Ala Leu Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln His Tyr Ala Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ala His Ala Pro His 20 25 30 Thr Ile Ile Thr Leu Gln Pro Gln His Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Leu Arg 35 40 45 Lys Leu 50 91 153 DNA Nicotiana 91 ctgaattttg caatgttaga ggcaaaaatg gcacttgcat tgattctaca acactatgct 60 tttgagctct ctccatctta tgcacacgct cctcatacaa ttatcactct gcaacctcaa 120 catggtgctc ctttgatttt gcgcaagctg tag 153 92 50 PRT Nicotiana 92 Leu Asn Phe Ala Met Leu Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Leu Ala Leu Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln His Tyr Ala Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ala His Ala Pro His 20 25 30 Thr Ile Ile Thr Leu Gln Pro Gln His Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Leu Arg 35 40 45 Lys Leu 50 93 226 DNA Nicotiana 93 aataattttg caatgttgga aactaagatt gccttagcaa tgatcctaca gcgttttgct 60 ttcgagcttt ctccatctta cgctcatgca cctacttatg tcgtcactct tcgacctcag 120 tgtggtgctc acttaatctt gcaaaaatta taggtcctta atctggattt cccattattg 180 agtagtgcct aataaatctt ctctatcact atttttccat ctttca 226 94 50 PRT Nicotiana 94 Asn Asn Phe Ala Met Leu Glu Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ala Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ala His Ala Pro Thr 20 25 30 Tyr Val Val Thr Leu Arg Pro Gln Cys Gly Ala His Leu Ile Leu Gln 35 40 45 Lys Leu 50 95 268 DNA Nicotiana 95 agcgaagggg tggcaaaggc aacaaagggg aaaatgacat attttccatt tggtgcagga 60 ccgcgaaaat gcattgggca aaacttcgcg attttggaag caaaaatggc tatagctatg 120 attctacaac gcttctcctt cgagctctcc ccatcttata cacactctcc atacactgtg 180 gtcactttga aacccaaata tggtgctccc ctaataatgc acaggctgta gtcctgtgag 240 aatatgctat ccgaggaatt cagttcct 268 96 50 PRT Nicotiana 96 Gln Asn Phe Ala Ile Leu Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Ile Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Thr His Ser Pro Tyr 20 25 30 Thr Val Val Thr Leu Lys Pro Lys Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Met His 35 40 45 Arg Leu 50 97 237 DNA Nicotiana 97 agcgaagggg tggcaaaggc aacaaagggg aaaatgacat attttccatt tggtgcagga 60 ccgcgaaaat gcattgggca aaacttcgcg attttggaag caaaaatggc tatagctatg 120 attctacaac gcttctcctt cgagctctct ccatcttata cacactctcc atacactgtg 180 gtcactttga aacccaaata tggtgctccc ctaataatgc acaggctgta gtcctgt 237 98 50 PRT Nicotiana 98 Gln Asn Phe Ala Ile Leu Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Ile Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Thr His Ser Pro Tyr 20 25 30 Thr Val Val Thr Leu Lys Pro Lys Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Met His 35 40 45 Arg Leu 50 99 152 DNA Nicotiana 99 caaaattttg ccatgttaga agcaaagatg gctctgtcta tgatcctgca acgcttctct 60 tttgaactgt ctccgtctta tgcacatgcc cctcagtcca tattaaccgt cagccacaat 120 atggtgctcc acttattttc cacaagctat aa 152 100 50 PRT Nicotiana 100 Gln Asn Phe Ala Met Leu Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Leu Ser Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ala His Ala Pro Gln 20 25 30 Ser Ile Leu Thr Val Gln Pro Gln Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Phe His 35 40 45 Lys Leu 50 101 153 DNA Nicotiana 101 ataaactttg caatgacaga agcgaagatg gctatggcta tgattctgca acgcttctcc 60 tttgagctat ctccatctta cacacatgct ccacagtctg taataactat gcaaccccaa 120 tatggtgctc ctcttatatt gcacaaattg taa 153 102 50 PRT Nicotiana 102 Ile Asn Phe Ala Met Thr Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Met Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Thr His Ala Pro Gln 20 25 30 Ser Val Ile Thr Met Gln Pro Gln Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Leu His 35 40 45 Lys Leu 50 103 153 DNA Nicotiana 103 ataaactttg caatggcaga agcgaagatg gctatggcta tgattctgca acgcttctcc 60 tttgagctat ctccatctta cacacatgct ccacagtctg taataactat gcaaccccaa 120 tatggtgctc ctcttatatt gcacaaattg taa 153 104 50 PRT Nicotiana 104 Ile Asn Phe Ala Met Ala Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Met Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Thr His Ala Pro Gln 20 25 30 Ser Val Ile Thr Met Gln Pro Gln Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Leu His 35 40 45 Lys Leu 50 105 153 DNA Nicotiana 105 caaaactttg caatgatgga agcaaaaatg gcagtagcta tgatactaca aaaattttcc 60 tttgaactat ccccttctta tacacatgct ccatttgcaa ttgtgactat tcatcctcag 120 tatggtgctc ctctgcttat gcgcagactt taa 153 106 50 PRT Nicotiana 106 Gln Asn Phe Ala Met Met Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Val Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Lys Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Thr His Ala Pro Phe 20 25 30 Ala Ile Val Thr Ile His Pro Gln Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Leu Met Arg 35 40 45 Arg Leu 50 107 153 DNA Nicotiana 107 caaaactttg caatgatgga agcaaaaatg gcagtagcta tgatactaca taaattttcc 60 tttgaactat ccccttctta tacacatgct ccatttgcaa ttgtgactat tcatcctcag 120 tatggtgctc ctctgcttat gcgcagactt taa 153 108 49 PRT Nicotiana 108 Gln Asn Phe Ala Met Met Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Val Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 His Lys Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Pro Ser Tyr Thr His Ala Pro Phe Ala 20 25 30 Ile Val Thr Ile His Pro Gln Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Leu Met Arg Arg 35 40 45 Leu 109 150 DNA Nicotiana 109 caaaattttg ctatgttaga ggctaaaatg gcaatggcta tgattctgaa aacctatgca 60 tttgaactct ctccatctta tgctcatgct cctcatccac tactacttca acctcaatat 120 ggtgctcaat taattttgta caagttgtag 150 110 49 PRT Nicotiana 110 Gln Asn Phe Ala Met Leu Glu Ala Lys Met Ala Met Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Lys Thr Tyr Ala Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ala His Ala Pro His 20 25 30 Pro Leu Leu Leu Gln Pro Gln Tyr Gly Ala Gln Leu Ile Leu Tyr Lys 35 40 45 Leu 111 192 DNA Nicotiana 111 tatagcatgg ggctcaaggc gattcaagct agcttagcta atcttctaca tggatttaac 60 tggtcattgc ctgataatat gactcctgag gacctcaaca tggatgagat ttttgggctc 120 tctacaccta aaaaatttcc acttgctact gtgattgagc caagactttc accaaaactt 180 tactctgttt ga 192 112 63 PRT Nicotiana 112 Tyr Ser Met Gly Leu Lys Ala Ile Gln Ala Ser Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Gly Phe Asn Trp Ser Leu Pro Asp Asn Met Thr Pro Glu Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asn Met Asp Glu Ile Phe Gly Leu Ser Thr Pro Lys Lys Phe Pro Leu 35 40 45 Ala Thr Val Ile Glu Pro Arg Leu Ser Pro Lys Leu Tyr Ser Val 50 55 60 113 192 DNA Nicotiana 113 tatagcttgg ggctcaagga gattcaagct agcttagcta atcttctaca tggatttaac 60 tggtcattgc ctgataatat gactcctgag gacctcaaca tggatgagat ttttgggctc 120 tctacaccta aaaaatttcc acttgctact gtgattgagc caagactttc accaaaactt 180 tactctgttt ga 192 114 63 PRT Nicotiana 114 Tyr Ser Leu Gly Leu Lys Glu Ile Gln Ala Ser Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Gly Phe Asn Trp Ser Leu Pro Asp Asn Met Thr Pro Glu Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asn Met Asp Glu Ile Phe Gly Leu Ser Thr Pro Lys Lys Phe Pro Leu 35 40 45 Ala Thr Val Ile Glu Pro Arg Leu Ser Pro Lys Leu Tyr Ser Val 50 55 60 115 192 DNA Nicotiana 115 catagcttgg ggctcaaggt gattcaagct agcttagcta atcttctaca tggatttaac 60 tggtcattgc ctgataatat gactcctgag gacctcaaca tggatgagat ttttgggctc 120 tctacaccta aaaaatttcc acttgctact gtgattgagc caagactttc accaaaactt 180 tactctgttt ga 192 116 63 PRT Nicotiana 116 His Ser Leu Gly Leu Lys Val Ile Gln Ala Ser Leu Ala Asn Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Gly Phe Asn Trp Ser Leu Pro Asp Asn Met Thr Pro Glu Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asn Met Asp Glu Ile Phe Gly Leu Ser Thr Pro Lys Lys Phe Pro Leu 35 40 45 Ala Thr Val Ile Glu Pro Arg Leu Ser Pro Lys Leu Tyr Ser Val 50 55 60 117 96 DNA Nicotiana 117 ctgtgctttc catgtttaat ctctagttat atactggctt tgaatgtgaa tctgtatcat 60 aatttcttgc aaatttctcc ttccatttct tattaa 96 118 31 PRT Nicotiana 118 Leu Cys Phe Pro Cys Leu Ile Ser Ser Tyr Ile Leu Ala Leu Asn Val 1 5 10 15 Asn Leu Tyr His Asn Phe Leu Gln Ile Ser Pro Ser Ile Ser Tyr 20 25 30 119 192 DNA Nicotiana 119 tctggacttg ctcaatgtgt ggttggttta gctttagcaa ctctagtgca gtgttttgag 60 tggaaaaggg taagcgaaga ggtggttgat ttgacggaag gaaaaggtct cactatgcca 120 aaacccgagc cactcatggc taggtgcgaa gctcgtgaca tttttcacaa agttctttca 180 gaaatatctt aa 192 120 63 PRT Nicotiana 120 Ser Gly Leu Ala Gln Cys Val Val Gly Leu Ala Leu Ala Thr Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Gln Cys Phe Glu Trp Lys Arg Val Ser Glu Glu Val Val Asp Leu Thr 20 25 30 Glu Gly Lys Gly Leu Thr Met Pro Lys Pro Glu Pro Leu Met Ala Arg 35 40 45 Cys Glu Ala Arg Asp Ile Phe His Lys Val Leu Ser Glu Ile Ser 50 55 60 121 174 DNA Nicotiana 121 ttgggcttgg caacggtgca tgtgaatttg atgttggccc gaatgattca agaatttgaa 60 tggtccgctt acccggaaaa taggaaagtg gattttactg agaaattgga atttactgtg 120 gtgatgaaaa atcctttaag agctaaggtc aagccaagaa tgcaagtggt gtaa 174 122 57 PRT Nicotiana 122 Leu Gly Leu Ala Thr Val His Val Asn Leu Met Leu Ala Arg Met Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Glu Phe Glu Trp Ser Ala Tyr Pro Glu Asn Arg Lys Val Asp Phe 20 25 30 Thr Glu Lys Leu Glu Phe Thr Val Val Met Lys Asn Pro Leu Arg Ala 35 40 45 Lys Val Lys Pro Arg Met Gln Val Val 50 55 123 171 DNA Nicotiana 123 tatgctttgg ctatgcttca tttagagtac tttgtggcta atttggtttg gcattttcga 60 tgggaggctg tggagggaga tgatgttgat ctttcagaaa agctagaatt caccgttgtg 120 atgaagaatc cacttcgagc tcgtatctgc cccagagtta actctatttg a 171 124 56 PRT Nicotiana 124 Tyr Ala Leu Ala Met Leu His Leu Glu Tyr Phe Val Ala Asn Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Trp His Phe Arg Trp Glu Ala Val Glu Gly Asp Asp Val Asp Leu Ser 20 25 30 Glu Lys Leu Glu Phe Thr Val Val Met Lys Asn Pro Leu Arg Ala Arg 35 40 45 Ile Cys Pro Arg Val Asn Ser Ile 50 55 125 186 DNA Nicotiana 125 ggtcagcaag ttggacttct tagaacaacc attttcatcg cctcattact gtctgaatat 60 aagctgaaac ctcgctcaca ccagaaacaa gttgaactca ccgatttaaa tccagcaagt 120 tggcttcatt cgataaaagg cgaactgtta gtcgatgcga ttcctcgaaa gaaggcggca 180 ttttaa 186 126 61 PRT Nicotiana 126 Gly Gln Gln Val Gly Leu Leu Arg Thr Thr Ile Phe Ile Ala Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Glu Tyr Lys Leu Lys Pro Arg Ser His Gln Lys Gln Val Glu 20 25 30 Leu Thr Asp Leu Asn Pro Ala Ser Trp Leu His Ser Ile Lys Gly Glu 35 40 45 Leu Leu Val Asp Ala Ile Pro Arg Lys Lys Ala Ala Phe 50 55 60 127 171 DNA Nicotiana 127 atcacatttg ctaagtttgt gaatgagcta gcattggcaa gattaatgtt ccattttgat 60 ttctcgctac caaaaggagt taagcatgag gatttggacg tggaggaagc tgctggaatt 120 actgttagaa ggaagttccc ccttttagcc gtcgccactc catgctcgtg a 171 128 56 PRT Nicotiana 128 Ile Thr Phe Ala Lys Phe Val Asn Glu Leu Ala Leu Ala Arg Leu Met 1 5 10 15 Phe His Phe Asp Phe Ser Leu Pro Lys Gly Val Lys His Glu Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asp Val Glu Glu Ala Ala Gly Ile Thr Val Arg Arg Lys Phe Pro Leu 35 40 45 Leu Ala Val Ala Thr Pro Cys Ser 50 55 129 180 DNA Nicotiana 129 cagaggtatg ctataaacca tttgatgctc tttattgcgt tgttcacggc tctgattgat 60 ttcaagaggc acaaaacgga cggctgtgat gatatcgcgt atattccaac cattgctcca 120 aaggatgatt gtaaagtgtt cctttcacag aggtgcactc gattcccatc tttttcatga 180 130 59 PRT Nicotiana 130 Gln Arg Tyr Ala Ile Asn His Leu Met Leu Phe Ile Ala Leu Phe Thr 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Ile Asp Phe Lys Arg His Lys Thr Asp Gly Cys Asp Asp Ile 20 25 30 Ala Tyr Ile Pro Thr Ile Ala Pro Lys Asp Asp Cys Lys Val Phe Leu 35 40 45 Ser Gln Arg Cys Thr Arg Phe Pro Ser Phe Ser 50 55 131 183 DNA Nicotiana 131 atgtcatttg gtttagctaa tctttactta ccattggctc aattactcta tcactttgac 60 tggaaactcc caaccggaat caagccaaga gacttggact tgaccgaatt atcgggaata 120 actattgcta gaaagggtga cctttactta aatgctactc cttatcaacc ttctcgagag 180 taa 183 132 60 PRT Nicotiana 132 Met Ser Phe Gly Leu Ala Asn Leu Tyr Leu Pro Leu Ala Gln Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr His Phe Asp Trp Lys Leu Pro Thr Gly Ile Lys Pro Arg Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asp Leu Thr Glu Leu Ser Gly Ile Thr Ile Ala Arg Lys Gly Asp Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Leu Asn Ala Thr Pro Tyr Gln Pro Ser Arg Glu 50 55 60 133 174 DNA Nicotiana 133 ttgggcttgg caacggtgca tgtgaatttg atgttggccc gaacgattca agaatttgaa 60 tggtccgctt acccggaaaa taggaaagtg gattttactg agaaattgga atttactgtg 120 gtgatgaaaa accctttaag agctaaggtc aagccaagaa tgcaagtggt gtaa 174 134 57 PRT Nicotiana 134 Leu Gly Leu Ala Thr Val His Val Asn Leu Met Leu Ala Arg Thr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Glu Phe Glu Trp Ser Ala Tyr Pro Glu Asn Arg Lys Val Asp Phe 20 25 30 Thr Glu Lys Leu Glu Phe Thr Val Val Met Lys Asn Pro Leu Arg Ala 35 40 45 Lys Val Lys Pro Arg Met Gln Val Val 50 55 135 123 DNA Nicotiana 135 ttgggcttgg caacggtgca tgtgaatttg atgttggccc gaatgattca agaatttgaa 60 tggtccgctt acccggaaaa taggaaagtg gatttactga gaaattggaa tttactgtgg 120 tga 123 136 40 PRT Nicotiana 136 Leu Gly Leu Ala Thr Val His Val Asn Leu Met Leu Ala Arg Met Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Glu Phe Glu Trp Ser Ala Tyr Pro Glu Asn Arg Lys Val Asp Leu 20 25 30 Leu Arg Asn Trp Asn Leu Leu Trp 35 40 137 171 DNA Nicotiana 137 atcacatttg ctaagtttgt gaatgagcta gcattggcaa gattaatgtt ccattttgat 60 ttctcgctac caaaaggagt taagcatgag gatttggacg tggaggaagc tgctggaatt 120 actgttagga ggaagttccc ccttttagcc gtcgccactc catgctcgtg a 171 138 56 PRT Nicotiana 138 Ile Thr Phe Ala Lys Phe Val Asn Glu Leu Ala Leu Ala Arg Leu Met 1 5 10 15 Phe His Phe Asp Phe Ser Leu Pro Lys Gly Val Lys His Glu Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asp Val Glu Glu Ala Ala Gly Ile Thr Val Arg Arg Lys Phe Pro Leu 35 40 45 Leu Ala Val Ala Thr Pro Cys Ser 50 55 139 171 DNA Nicotiana 139 atcacatttg ctaagtttgt gaatgagcta gcattggcaa gattaatgtt ccattttgat 60 ttctcgctac caaaaggagt taagcatgcg gatttggacg tggaggaagc tgctggaatt 120 actgttagaa ggaagttccc ccttttagcc gtcgccactc catgctcgtg a 171 140 56 PRT Nicotiana 140 Ile Thr Phe Ala Lys Phe Val Asn Glu Leu Ala Leu Ala Arg Leu Met 1 5 10 15 Phe His Phe Asp Phe Ser Leu Pro Lys Gly Val Lys His Ala Asp Leu 20 25 30 Asp Val Glu Glu Ala Ala Gly Ile Thr Val Arg Arg Lys Phe Pro Leu 35 40 45 Leu Ala Val Ala Thr Pro Cys Ser 50 55 141 153 DNA Nicotiana 141 caaaattttg ccatgttaga agcaaagact actttggcta tgatcctaca acgcttctcc 60 tttgaactgt ctccatctta tgcacatgct cctcagtcca taataacttt gcaaccccag 120 tatggtgctc cacttatttt gcataaaata tag 153 142 50 PRT Nicotiana 142 Gln Asn Phe Ala Met Leu Glu Ala Lys Thr Thr Leu Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ala His Ala Pro Gln 20 25 30 Ser Ile Ile Thr Leu Gln Pro Gln Tyr Gly Ala Pro Leu Ile Leu His 35 40 45 Lys Ile 50 143 171 DNA Nicotiana 143 attatccttg cactgccaat tcttggcatt accttgggac gcttggtgca gaactttgag 60 ttgttgcctc ctccaggaca gtcaaagctt gacacaacag agaaaggcgg gcaattcagt 120 ctgcacattt tgaagcattc caccattgtg atgaaaccaa gatcttttta a 171 144 56 PRT Nicotiana 144 Ile Ile Leu Ala Leu Pro Ile Leu Gly Ile Thr Leu Gly Arg Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Gln Asn Phe Glu Leu Leu Pro Pro Pro Gly Gln Ser Lys Leu Asp Thr 20 25 30 Thr Glu Lys Gly Gly Gln Phe Ser Leu His Ile Leu Lys His Ser Thr 35 40 45 Ile Val Met Lys Pro Arg Ser Phe 50 55 145 267 DNA Nicotiana 145 caaaattttg ccatgttaga agcaaagact actttggcta tgatcctaca acgcttctcc 60 tttgaactgt ctccatctta tgcacatgct cctcagtcca taataacttg caaccccagt 120 atggtgctcc acttattttg cataaaatat agtttattac ttgtaagtag tgtctcgttt 180 tatgttaagc atgagtccaa aatgttaagg cttgtagaac tgcaaaatgg gaatgcattt 240 gcactcgtgc actgtagatt gttgtaa 267 146 88 PRT Nicotiana 146 Gln Asn Phe Ala Met Leu Glu Ala Lys Thr Thr Leu Ala Met Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 Gln Arg Phe Ser Phe Glu Leu Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ala His Ala Pro Gln 20 25 30 Ser Ile Ile Thr Cys Asn Pro Ser Met Val Leu His Leu Phe Cys Ile 35 40 45 Lys Tyr Ser Leu Leu Leu Val Ser Ser Val Ser Phe Tyr Val Lys His 50 55 60 Glu Ser Lys Met Leu Arg Leu Val Glu Leu Gln Asn Gly Asn Ala Phe 65 70 75 80 Ala Leu Val His Cys Arg Leu Leu 85 147 186 DNA Nicotiana 147 gctgatatgg ggttgcgagc agtttctttg gcattaggtg cacttattca atgctttgac 60 tggcaaattg aggaagcgga aagcttggag gaaagctata attctagaat gactatgcag 120 aacaagcctt tgaaggttgt ctgcactcca cgcgaagatc ttggccagct tctatcccaa 180 ctctaa 186 148 61 PRT Nicotiana 148 Ala Asp Met Gly Leu Arg Ala Val Ser Leu Ala Leu Gly Ala Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Gln Cys Phe Asp Trp Gln Ile Glu Glu Ala Glu Ser Leu Glu Glu Ser 20 25 30 Tyr Asn Ser Arg Met Thr Met Gln Asn Lys Pro Leu Lys Val Val Cys 35 40 45 Thr Pro Arg Glu Asp Leu Gly Gln Leu Leu Ser Gln Leu 50 55 60 149 13 DNA Nicotiana 149 ttyccgarmg tty 13 150 13 DNA Nicotiana 150 ggmgmgtgyc cgs 13 151 17 DNA Nicotiana 151 ttyaarcctg agagatt 17 152 15 DNA Nicotiana 152 ccagaragat tcttg 15 153 17 DNA Nicotiana 153 ggrmgrmgra tgtgycc 17 154 19 DNA Nicotiana 154 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 155 20 DNA Nicotiana 155 attatgctga gtgatatccc 20 156 18 DNA Nicotiana 156 atttaggtga cactatag 18 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147 or
 149. 2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a fragment of a cytochrome P450 gene.
 3. An isolated nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has at least 75% identity to the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 4. An isolated nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has at least 91% identity to the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 5. An isolated nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has at least 99% identity to the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 6. A transgenic plant, wherein said transgenic plant comprises the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or
 5. 7. The transgenic plant of claim 6, wherein said plant is a tobacco plant.
 8. A method of producing a transgenic plant, said method comprising the steps of: (i) operably linking the nucleic acid molecule of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, with a promoter functional in said plant to create a plant transformation vector; and (ii) transforming said plant with said plant transformation vector of step (i); (iii) selecting a plant cell transformed with said transformation vector; and (iv) regenerating a plant from said plant cell of step (iii).
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is in an antisense orientation.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is in a sense orientation.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein said nucleic acid is in a RNA interference orientation.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said nucleic acid molecule is expressed as a double stranded RNA molecule.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said double stranded RNA molecule is about 15 to 25 nucleotide in length.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein said plant is a tobacco plant.
 15. A method of selecting a plant containing a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said plant is analyzed for the presence of nucleic acid sequence, wherein said nucleic sequence acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 92, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145 or
 147. 16. The method of selecting a plant of claim 15, wherein said plant is analyzed by DNA hybridization.
 17. The method of selecting a plant of claim 15, wherein said plant is analyzed by PCR detection.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein said DNA hybridization comprises a nucleic acid probe, said nucleic acid probe is selected from a group consisting of SEQ. ID. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17,19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145 or
 147. 19. The method of selecting a plant of claim 15, wherein said plant is a transgenic plant.
 20. The method of selecting a plant of claim 15, wherein said plant is selected from a mutagenesis population.
 21. The method of selecting a plant of claim 15, wherein said plant is selected from a breeding population. 